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What is an AST/SGOT Blood Test?

March 8, 2024

Leon Robinson

What is AST/SGOT?

Aspartate Aminotransferase or AST is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, brain, pancreas, muscles, and kidneys. Enzymes are a type of protein in a cell that acts as a catalyst and allows certain bodily processes to happen. An AST blood test measures the levels of the aspartate aminotransferase enzyme in your blood. The test is also known as SGOT or serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase.

What does an AST blood test do?

Most people have low levels of the AST enzyme.  AST blood tests are performed to check the health of the liver and heart because when the liver or heart is damaged extra AST enzyme can leak into the blood.

There are several reasons why an AST/SGOT test is typically ordered.

  • You have risk factors for liver disease, such as family history, obesity, or diabetes.
  • You have symptoms of a liver problem, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
  • You are undergoing treatment for a liver condition. The AST blood test can help show how well the treatment is working.
  • You have damage or injury to other organs or tissues, such as the heart, kidneys, or muscles.

What are the symptoms of high AST?

Not everyone with abnormal AST levels will have any apparent symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow.
  • Swelling and/or pain in your abdomen (belly)
  • Swelling in your ankles and legs
  • Dark-colored urine and/or light-colored stool
  • Frequent itching

What causes high AST/SGOT?

Higher than normal liver enzymes may be the result of diseases that affect the liver such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or hemochromatosis (iron overload.)

Other causes may include:

  • Some types of cancer
  • Wilson Disease
  • Celiac Disease
  • Thyroid disease
  • Certain medications
  • Taking too much of some herbal supplements

How do I know if my AST is normal?

Test results for an AST/SGOT blood test will provide your AST level along with the standard normal range to compare with your results. 

In general, the ranges for AST are:

  • Normal: Less than 40 units per liter (U/L) or 10–40 international units per liter (IU/L).
  • High: Greater than 40 U/L or greater than 40 IU/L, which may indicate liver inflammation.
  • Very high AST levels (above 1,000 U/L) could signal progressing liver damage, such as acute hepatitis or liver cirrhosis.
  • Note that the optimal AST range for each person may vary somewhat based on your age, sex, weight, and race.  Any abnormal results should be discussed with your doctor to determine the cause and the best treatment for you.   Your doctor may order more tests for additional information.

How can I lower my AST?

There are things you can do to naturally lower your AST.  Depending on the cause and severity of your liver or other organ damage, here are some general tips that may help you:

  • Limit or avoid alcohol intake. Alcohol is toxic to the liver and can increase AST levels. 
  • Lose weight via a low-calorie diet. Excess weight can cause fatty liver disease, which can also raise AST levels. 
  • Coffee has been shown to have beneficial effects on the liver and may lower AST levels. 
  • Exercise can lower AST levels by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver and other organs.

If your AST level is very high or does not improve with lifestyle changes, you may need to see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medications or supplements that can lower AST levels or treat the underlying condition that is causing liver damage. Some examples are antiviral drugs for hepatitis, corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis, or milk thistle for alcoholic liver disease.

Comparing AST with ALT levels

Alanine aminotransferase or ALT is another type of liver enzyme.  Comparing AST with ALT levels provides more information about the liver's health. Healthcare providers will use both measurements to assess the health of the liver. The AST-to-ALT ratio can help figure out how severe the liver damage is and what might have caused it. If levels of both enzymes are high, it is diagnosed as elevated liver enzymes. With elevated liver enzymes, the cause for concern is only if the levels remain high. In about a third of the cases, they return to normal after 2-4 weeks. If ALT levels don't return to normal, you may be advised to get more tests and advised to see a liver specialist.

Where can I get an AST blood test near me?

Request A Test offers a variety of online lab tests to monitor healthy liver function. Our goal is to give everyone the ability to take charge of their health by offering affordable lab testing that anyone can order without having to visit a doctor or go through an insurance provider.  The AST test is found in two of the most common tests healthcare providers use to assess the health of the liver.  The hepatic function or liver panel and the comprehensive metabolic panel.

You can also order individual tests for ALT and AST or combine them with other liver function measurements in the Hepatic Function Test.  Our menu includes several panels that combine liver testing with other general wellness tests for a more comprehensive health screening.  Take a look at packages such as the Basic Wellness PanelMen's Health Panel, and Women's Health Panel to find a package that works best for you.  When you're ready to order, choose from over 4,000 testing locations across the US.  Visit us online or call our team at 888-732-2348 to start an order today.

 

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Sources:

AST Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test

Aspartate Transferase (AST) Blood Test: What It Is, Procedure & Results (clevelandclinic.org)

AST (SGOT) blood test: High and low levels, and what do results mean (medicalnewstoday.com)

 

DISCLAIMER: The medical information in this post is for informative purposes only.

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