AST Test For Liver and Heart Health

The AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Test is a laboratory analysis that measures the levels of AST, an enzyme found in various tissues, providing information about liver and heart health and assisting in the diagnosis and monitoring of certain medical conditions.

 

AST Test

Here are the basic details for the AST Test.

Also Known As	SGOT (Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase)
Type	Blood Test
Purpose	Check AST Levels
Sample Type	Blood
Preparation	No Special Preparation Required
Fasting	No
Gender	All
Age-Group	Any
Normal Value	10 - 40 U/L
Reporting Time	2 - 4 Hours
Cost	100 - 200 INR*

*Price range may vary as per location, lab type, and procedure of lab test.

 

AST Test Full Form

The full form of AST Test is Aspartate Aminotransferase Test.

 

AST Test Means

The AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Test measures the levels of an enzyme called AST in the blood.

• AST is found in various tissues, including the liver, heart, muscles, and kidneys.
• Elevated AST levels may indicate liver damage or injury to other organs.
• The test helps assess liver function, monitor certain medical conditions, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
• It is often performed alongside other liver function tests for a comprehensive assessment.

Interesting Facts About AST

• AST is an enzyme primarily found in the liver, heart, muscles, and other organs.
• Elevated AST levels can indicate liver damage or disease.
• AST levels can be influenced by factors like alcohol consumption and certain medications.

 

AST Test Purpose

Here is basic purpose of AST Test.

• Assess liver function and detect liver damage.
• Monitor certain medical conditions and treatment effectiveness.
• Evaluate heart health and muscle injury.
• Aid in the diagnosis of liver diseases.
• Assist in identifying potential organ damage.

 

 

AST Test Preparation

Here is basic information for AST Test Preparation:

 

Before Test

• No special preparation is typically required.
• Inform your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you are taking.
• Follow any specific instructions given by your healthcare provider.

 

During Test

• A healthcare professional will collect a blood sample from your vein.
• The procedure usually takes a few minutes and may cause minimal discomfort.

 

After Test

• You can resume your regular activities immediately.
• Apply pressure to the puncture site to stop bleeding.
• Inform your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms or complications.

Short Summary

Prepare for an AST test by informing your healthcare provider about medications, following instructions, and applying pressure after the blood draw.

 

AST Test Procedure

Here is the basic AST Test Procedure explained in brief.

• A healthcare professional will collect a blood sample from your vein.
• The puncture site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
• A needle is inserted into the vein, and blood is drawn into a tube.
• The tube is labeled and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• The procedure usually takes a few minutes and may cause minimal discomfort.

 

AST Test Result

Elevated AST levels may indicate liver damage, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or drug-induced liver injury.

• AST levels can also be elevated due to heart conditions, muscle injury, or certain medications.
• Normal or slightly elevated AST levels are typically observed in healthy individuals.

 

AST Test Report

AST Test Report PDF

 

AST Test Normal Report

AST Normal Test Report PDF Format

AST Test Normal Result Report PDF

 

AST Test Abnormal Report

AST Abnormal Test Report PDF Format

AST Test Abnormal Result Report PDF

 

AST Test Normal Range

Here is a general reference range for AST levels:

AST Levels (U/L)	Interpretation
10 - 40	Normal range
Above 40	Elevated AST levels (may indicate damage to the liver or other conditions)

 

AST Test Interpretation

Here's an example of AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Test interpretation.

AST Levels (U/L)	Interpretation
Below 40	Normal range
40 - 120	Mild to moderately elevated (may indicate liver dysfunction)
Above 120	Markedly elevated (may indicate severe liver damage)

 

AST Test High Levels

Here are examples of AST Test high levels causes.

Causes	Description
Liver damage	Conditions that affect liver function.
Hepatitis	Inflammation of the liver.
Alcohol abuse	Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption.
Medications or toxins	Certain medications or toxic substances.
Muscle injury or trauma	Severe muscle damage or injury.
Heart attack or heart failure	Cardiac events affect the heart muscle.
Pancreatitis	Inflammation of the pancreas.

 

AST Test Low Levels

Here are examples of AST Test low levels causes.

Causes	Description
Vitamin B6 deficiency	Insufficient levels of vitamin B6 in the body.
Chronic liver disease	Long-term liver dysfunction or damage.
Malnutrition or poor diet	Inadequate nutrient intake affects AST levels.
Genetic disorders	Inherited conditions affecting AST production.
Severe infection	Serious bacterial or viral infections.
Certain medications	Medications that can lower AST levels.
Hypothyroidism	Underactive thyroid gland affecting AST levels.

 

Specimen Requirements For AST Test

Here are the specimen requirements for the AST Test.

Specimen	Blood or Serum
Volume	2 ml
Container	Lavender-top (EDTA) tube

 

AST Test is Safe?

The AST Test is safe and carries minimal risks.

• It involves a routine blood sample collection, which is generally well-tolerated.
• Rare complications, such as bleeding or infection, may occur but are extremely rare.

 

When Do You Get AST Test Results?

AST Test results are typically available within a 2 - 4 hours.

• The turnaround time may vary depending on the laboratory and healthcare provider.
• Your healthcare provider will inform you of the specific timeframe for receiving the results.

 

AST Test Limitation

Here are some possible limitations of the AST Test.

• AST test alone cannot provide a definitive diagnosis.
• Elevated AST levels can have various causes, including liver or muscle damage.
• AST levels can be influenced by factors like medications and recent physical activity.

 

AST Test Risk Factors

Here is the potential risk factor of the AST Test.

• Risk factors for elevated AST levels include heavy alcohol consumption.
• Certain medications and drugs can increase AST levels.
• Liver diseases, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, are associated with higher AST levels.

 

Doctor Recommendations After AST Test Result

Here are Doctor recommendations or consult a specialist after AST Test.

AST Test Result	Doctor to Visit	Reason
High	Hepatologist	Liver damage or disease
Normal	Primary care	Routine health assessment
Low	No specific	No specific concerns

 

AST Test Price

Here are the estimated AST Test Price in India with different top cities:

City	Price Range (INR)*
Mumbai	100 - 200
New Delhi	100 - 200
Bangalore	100 - 200
Hyderabad	100 - 200
Kolkata	100 - 150
Pune	100 - 150
Lucknow	100 - 200
Noida	100 - 200
Surat	100 - 150
Gurugram	100 - 150
Patna	100 - 200
Chennai	100 - 150
Jaipur	100 - 200
Ahmedabad	100 - 150

*Prices are approximate and vary depending on a specific laboratory or healthcare facility.

 

Summary

Overall, AST Test safely help to assesses the levels of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in the blood, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver damage and certain medical conditions. Also check Drlogy Test for detailed information about all medical tests for patients, doctors, scholers and medical students.

 

Reference

• Aspartate Transaminase - Wikipedia [1].
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST/GOT) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT/GPT) Detection Techniques - NIH [2].