The AST SGOT blood test is used to measure aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The presence of AST in the blood is typically an indication that liver damage has occurred for some reason. This blood test is often ordered with the ALT blood test and may also be part of an overall liver panel to help diagnose or screen for health conditions that affect the liver.
The AST SGOT blood test is one of the most important tests that can be ordered to detect an injury to the liver. The test results are often compared to other liver blood test results to determine which specific disease may be present and causing damage. It is also ordered to monitor the effectiveness of a treatment plan for individuals who have been diagnosed with liver disease. It can also be used to monitor the health of a liver when potentially damaging medications are being taken on a regular basis.
When Is the AST SGOT Blood Test Ordered?
Medical providers will order the AST SGOT blood test any time there is a symptomatic indication that liver damage has or may be occurring. Here are some of the common symptoms that will be looked at during a patient examination.
- Dark urine that is combined with light-colored stools.
- Unusual abdominal swelling and pain.
- A chronic loss of appetite combined with fatigue, weakness, and nausea.
This blood test may also be ordered if there is a yellowing of the skin. People who are believed to have been exposed to any of the hepatitis viruses, drink heavily, or have a history of liver disease in the family may also have this blood test ordered. It is also commonly ordered to monitor the health of those who have obesity or diabetic conditions.
What Do the AST SGOT Blood Test Results Mean?
Most people who have the AST SGOT blood test will receive a normal test result. AST levels in the blood are generally quite low.
When the test results are 10x more than normal [or higher], then this is a strong indication that an acute case of hepatitis has occurred. Sometimes this test result can be triggered by a viral infection as well. The blood test results in this circumstance may stay elevated for as long as 6 months before returning to normal.
When test results are 100x more than normal, or higher, then this is a strong indication that certain illicit drugs or prescribed medications have caused liver damage in some way. If the organ has not been damaged, the toxicity levels will soon cause damage. This indicates medication or lifestyle habits must be changed immediately.
When test results are about 4x higher than normal, this indicates the presence of a chronic hepatitis infection. It may also mean that a person’s bile ducts could be blocked, that cirrhosis has begun to set in, or that certain liver cancers may be present. When the AST SGOT blood test is completed after a heart attack or muscle injury, the results are similar to those in this category as well.
Most types of liver disease will have low levels of AST that are above normal, but below the problematic levels listed above. Any time a result comes back as abnormal, additional testing is generally ordered to remove the possibility that something serious has occurred.
There Are Times When the AST SGOT Blood Test Is Inaccurate
Women who are pregnant will typically see abnormal test results when this blood test is ordered. People who have recently been given a vaccination or receive regular medication injections will also have higher than normal levels of AST in their blood. Because muscle tissues are damaged during strenuous exercise, this too can create results that vary from normal ranges.
Whenever this occurs, it is common for a medical provider to order follow-up testing to determine what specific health condition is causing the abnormal results. Common tests include hepatitis screening for all 3 types, drug exposure screening, and iron tests. Ethanol and copper levels may also be tested. In rare circumstances when a specific diagnosis cannot be obtained, a liver biopsy may be ordered.
The AST SGOT blood test by itself is not generally used as a method of diagnosis alone. It is compared to lifestyle factors, other blood test results, and even the amount of daily exercise that is received to determine what may be happening. Only a medical provider with a complete medical history can interpret what the levels of AST may mean for any individual.
Use this guide as a foundational resource to ask questions during an upcoming appointment so that an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.