Aspartate aminotransferase AST
Aspartate aminotransferase AST, SGOT is an enzyme that found mostly in liver, heart brain kidney, muscles and many tissue in your body. AST, SGOT is a blood test that check for liver damage. There are thousands of different enzymes throughout your body that have important functions. Your liver is an organ that has many important job in the body. It make a fluid called bile that help your body digest food. AST blood test is included in a liver function test and comprehensive metabolic panel.
Is this test have other name
Aspartate aminotransferase AST, Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase SGOT
How the test performed
A blood sample needed
Why the test performed
Aspartate aminotransferase AST, is a blood test that check AST in your blood. Most causes your doctor use AST blood test to check health of your liver. When body cells get damage than AST leak your bloodstream. Normally AST level in blood is low. But many types of liver condition AST level in your bloodstream to rise.
Why Need This Test
Doctor Recommended AST test If you have a symptoms of liver damage such as,
Jaundice
Dark colored urine
Stomach pain
Itchy skin
Yellow skin or eyes
Tiredness
Weakness
Swollen belly
Appetite loss
Light colored poop
Swelling in your legs and ankles
Bruises
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
What Are The Risk
ALT blood test is safe. Risks are usually minor, and can include:
Bleeding
Bruising
Infection
Slight pain when the needle is inserted
Fainting or feeling dizzy
What do The Result Means
Normal AST Result 10 to 40 unit/L
Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples
An increased AST level may be due to any of the following:
Cirrhosis Scarring of the liver
Hepatitis
Alcoholic use
Death of liver tissue
Heart attack
Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis)
Swollen and inflamed liver
Liver ischemia
Liver cancer or tumor
Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver,
Mononucleosis
Muscle disease or trauma
Swollen and inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis)
AST level may also increase after:
Burns (deep)
Heart procedures
Seizure
Surgery
[…] Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Measures the level of AST, an enzyme found in the liver, heart, muscles, and other organs. Elevated levels can indicate liver or heart problems. […]