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Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Alternate Name: AST (SGOT)

SAL Code:

315

CPT:

84450

Loinc:

88112-8

Turn Around Time:

1 Day

Setup:

Daily

Units:

U/L

Department:

Chemistry

Performing Laboratory:

Sherman Abrams Laboratory

Specimen Requirements:

Primary Tube:

SST

Primary Substance:

Serum

Alternate Sample Info:

Heparinized plasma

Temperature

Period

Stable Ambient:

1 Day

Stable Fridge:

30 days

Stable Frozen:

60 Days

Rejection Criteria:

Improper labeling

Clinical Info:

AST and ALT are considered to be two of the most important tests to detect liver injury, although ALT is more specific for the liver than is AST and is more commonly increased than is AST. Sometimes AST is compared directly to ALT and an AST/ALT ratio is calculated. This ratio may be used to distinguish between different causes of liver damage and to distinguish liver injury from damage to heart or muscle.

Additional Information:

Release of the AST enzyme to general circulation indicates injury to the heart and liver. Lesser amounts are found in skeletal muscles, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, lungs, and brain. In myocardial infarction, serum AST may begin to rise within 6-8 hours after onset. An increase in serum AST is also found with hepatitis, liver necrosis, cirrhosis, and liver metastasis.

Sample Collection:

Collect patient samples using standard phlebotomy techniques. Click here for additional collection instructions.

Test Limitations:

A large number of commonly used drugs have been reported to elevate AST: isoniazid, phenothiazines, erythromycin, progesterone, anabolic-androgenic steroids, halothane, methyldopa, opiates, indomethacin, salicylates in children, and other drugs. Hepatotoxicity from drugs may cause high aminotransferase activity with elevation of AST:ALT
ratio.4 Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity deserves special mention. In alcoholics, apparently moderate doses of the analgesic have caused severe hepatotoxicity.

Test Information:

Components:

Brooklyn Navy Yard
Building 292, Suite 416
63 Flushing Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205

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