Biochemistry Test

An Aspartate Transaminase (AST) test is ordered for the following reasons, (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
AST Test

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• When a person shows symptoms of liver disease, such as fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or swelling, jaundice, dark urine, light colored stool, itching, ankle and leg swelling.
• Heavy drinkers
• Exposed to the hepatitis virus
• Liver disease in the family
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• To monitor liver function in those who are taking certain medications
• To monitor the effect of treatment on those with liver disease

Fasting blood samples may be taken from the forearm to carry out the test.

The blood test for aspartate transaminase (AST) is usually carried out to detect liver damage. The test is always done in combination with the test for another liver enzyme, alanine amino transferase (ALT), to help diagnose liver problems.

However, ALT is the more specific of the two. Sometimes a ratio of the two enzymes is derived to come to a conclusion.

AST levels are also often measured and compared with measures of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and total protein to understand the nature of liver disease. (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Aspartate Transferase (AST)

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The normal range for men is 14 to 20 units/L and for women, it is 10 to 36 units/L. (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
About Aspartate Transaminase

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Normally, the level of AST in the blood is between 8 and 33 units/L. But these values vary from lab to lab because of different measurements and samples.

Higher than normal values indicate (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) blood test

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• Acute viral hepatitis
• Chronic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Post-heart attack
• Liver ischemia
• Liver cancer
• Mononucleosis
• Muscle disease
• Pancreatitis

The AST /ALT ratio is also increased after alcoholic hepatitis.

Pregnancy, certain medications, conditions of the heart or muscles, and pancreatitis can also raise AST levels.

The AST level may also increase after (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) blood test

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• Deep burns
• Heart procedures
• Seizure
• Surgery
• Pregnancy
• Exercise

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