SGOT (AST)

SGOT, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase or AST (aspartate aminotransferase), are the blood tests performed for checking the level of this liver enzyme in the blood. This enzyme rises in case of liver damage and is therefore done to check for liver disease and to monitor the patient’s response to treatment.

The liver is detoxifying organ in the body with many important jobs. It makes the bile fluid in the digestive system to help emulsify fats, it removes toxins and waste products from the blood and also produces blood clotting proteins. Liver diseases like hepatitis can cause inflammation in the liver and prevent it from performing its normal function.

AST is produced not only by the liver, but other organs like the brain, heart and kidneys also produce small amounts of this enzyme. This amount is low in normal cases, however, in case of liver damage, the amount of this enzyme in the blood rises.

When should you get an SGOT test?

This test can be done by your healthcare provider, if your there are signs and symptoms of liver damage, including:

• Bruising
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen abdomen
• Itchy skin
• Light-colored stool
• Abdominal pain
• Dark-colored urine

Other indications for performing this:

• History of exposure to hepatitis virus
• Obesity
• History of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
• Family history of liver disease
• History of intake of liver damaging medication
• History of metabolic syndrome or diabetes
• To check if liver treatments are working

SGOT test procedure

SGOT is tested through the blood, a sample of which is drawn through the blood vessel in the laboratory or hospital setting by a trained phlebotomist. The patient sits in a comfortable position for the drawing of blood. A tight elastic band or tourniquet is applied just proximal to the site for drawing blood. The area is then cleaned with alcohol swab and a needle is used to draw the blood into a vial. The needle is removed and pressure is applied with a small cotton ball to stop bleeding. A bandage is applied on top.

The vial is then sent for analysis to the laboratory. The site from where blood is drawn can bruise for about a week, but it is nothing to worry about.

What are the risks of an SGOT test?

Even though it is a safe investigation, there are some risks associated with testing. This can include:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Bruising
• Pain at the site where blood is drawn from

SGOT normal range

Most laboratories give out the analysis in units per liter (units/L). For men, the normal range lies between 10 to 40 units per liter, while the range is 9 to 32 units/L for women.

AST levels can rise moderately due to:

• Muscle injury
• Burns
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Pancreatitis
• Pregnancy
• Surgery
• Intense exercise

The causes of higher-than-normal levels of aspartate transaminase can be due to:

• Ongoing hepatic cirrhosis
• Blocked bile ducts carrying bile from liver to the gall bladder
• Chronic hepatic cirrhosis
• Liver cancer

Very high levels of AST are associated with:

• Acute viral hepatitis
• Blocked blood flow to the liver
• Liver damage secondary to toxic substances including drugs

False positive levels of AST are associated with:

• Taking antibiotics like erythromycin
• Diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition with decreased insulin production