AST

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Aspartate aminotransferase; Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT

The normal range is 10 to 34 IU/L.

Note: IU/L = international units per liter

Diseases that affect liver cells cause the release of AST. The AST/ALT ratio (when both are elevated) is usually greater than 2 in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

An increase in AST levels may indicate:

• Acute hemolytic anemia
• Acute pancreatitis
• Acute renal failure
• Liver cirrhosis
• Heart attack
• Hepatitis
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Liver cancer
• Liver necrosis
• Multiple trauma
• Primary muscle disease
• Progressive muscular dystrophy
• Recent cardiac catheterization or angioplasty
• Recent convulsion
• Recent surgery
• Severe deep burn
• Skeletal muscle trauma

Review Date: 01/22/2007
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.