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AST - Results

Alternative Names

Aspartate aminotransferase; Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT

Normal Values:

The normal range is 10 to 34 IU/L.

Note: IU/L = international units per liter

What abnormal results mean:

Diseases that affect liver cells increase the levels of AST. However, increased levels of AST alone do not specifically indicate liver disease.

An increase in AST levels may indicate:

Acute hemolytic anemia
Acute pancreatitis
Acute renal failure
Cirrhosis
Heart attack
Hepatitis
Hereditary hemochromatosis
Infectious mononucleosis
Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia)
Liver necrosis
Liver tumor
Multiple trauma
Primary muscle disease
Progressive muscular dystrophy
Recent cardiac catheterization or angioplasty
Recent convulsion
Recent surgery
Severe deep burn
Skeletal muscle trauma
Use of drugs that are poisonous to the liver

Reviewed last on: 2/23/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Berk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 150.

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