There are a number of blood tests that may be ordered to determine the health status of a person’s liver. One of the most common tests is the AST SGPT blood test. This organ, which is located in the upper right of the abdomen just under the rub cage, provides numerous functions that are vital to human life.
What does the liver do for you every day?
- It removes toxins from the blood.
- It produces important proteins and clotting factors.
- It metabolizes nutrients and medications.
- It stores bile and vitamins.
The liver also tends to store some bad stuff as well. The two most notable substances are triglycerides and cholesterol. The AST SGPT blood test doesn’t measure fat or cholesterol levels like a lipids test would, but instead measures the functionality of the organ itself. These enzymes are contained in the cells of the liver and to a lesser extent, a person’s muscle cells as well.
Why is knowing this so important? If your liver is damaged in some way or suffers an injury, then it will release higher levels of AST SGPT that can be detected in a blood test. The results can then help a medical provider begin to develop a treatment plan to address the condition. SGPT may also be referred to as ALT.
Why Are These Two Test Results Combined?
Although both enzymes can be found in the liver, SGPT levels are predominantly found only in the liver. If someone suffers from an extensive muscle injury, it is possible to have elevated AST levels. Even a rigorous workout can cause AST levels to reach into an abnormal range if a blood test were to be done at that time. In comparison, the most common reason why SGPT would be released into the blood is because of the presence of liver damage.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
If your test results come back with high AST and high SGPT levels, then there is a good chance that liver damage or disease has occurred. Treatment options will be based on what the specific reason behind the liver damage happens to be. High test results are typically above 40 for ASTG and above 56 for SGPT.
If the test results show high levels of AST and normal SGPT levels, then there is a possibility that liver damage has occurred. It is also possible that muscle damage has occurred. You will need to discuss with your medical provider what your lifestyle and exercise habits tend to be so interfering results can be eliminated.
Should the test results be normal for AST and high for SGPT, this is also an indication that there is a strong chance that liver damage or disease is present. This is because almost all SGPT comes from the liver instead of the body’s muscle tissues.
Normal results for both enzymes don’t necessarily rule out the presence of liver damage, but it makes the chances of it being present much less. Having low levels of these enzymes may or may not be medically significant depending on your specific health history. You’ll need to discuss low results and what they mean with a medical provider.
Is This Blood Test Accurate In Measuring Liver Functions?
No. The AST SGPT blood test does not actually measure the functionality of the liver even though many medical providers refer to it as a liver function test. It is entirely possible for both AST and SGPT levels to be elevated and for the liver to be functioning as it is supposed to be. That is why the combined blood test is an indication of injury only.
If physical symptoms are problematic and the test results indicate that liver damage has occurred, then further testing and evaluation to discover the reason behind the damage is the next step in the diagnostic process. Medical providers will also begin developing a treatment plan to address the situation to maximize the ability to complete daily living activities now and into the future.
The AST SGPT blood test may not indicate how well a liver is functioning, but it can determine if the health of the organ is at risk. If you are suffering from a loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, weakness, or yellowing of the skin, then it is important to speak with a medical provider immediately about this blood test and your liver health. It could be a decision that helps to put you onto the road toward recovery very quickly.