What is this test?
This blood test is used to diagnose liver damage. Aspartate transaminase (AST) is an enzyme that is released when your liver or muscles are damaged. Although AST is found mainly in your liver and heart, AST can also be found in small amounts in other muscles.
Why do I need this test?
You may need this test if your healthcare provider believes that your liver is damaged.
You might have this test if you have these symptoms related to the liver disease:
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Dark-colored urine
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Light or clay-colored stool
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Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
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Nausea and vomiting
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Lack of appetite or weight loss
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Weakness or tiredness (fatigue)
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Itching (pruritus)
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Swelling or pain in the belly
You may also have this test if you have a family history of liver illness or drink an abnormally large amount of alcohol. You may also have this test if you have a condition such as diabetes that may cause liver problems or if you take medicines that can affect the liver.
What do my test results mean?
Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you.
Results are given in units per liter (units/L). Normal ranges for AST are:
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Men: 10 to 40 units/L
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Women: 9 to 32 units/L
Women tend to have slightly lower levels than men. Older adults tend to have slightly higher levels than the normal range for adults.
If you have abnormally high levels of AST, you might have:
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Liver disease
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Muscle injury
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Heart attack
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Pancreatitis
Extremely high levels of AST may mean you have a disease such as viral hepatitis, liver injury from medicines or toxins, or “shock liver.” Shock liver is widespread liver damage caused by lack of oxygen or not enough blood supply.
How is this test done?
The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. At SOUTH PUNJAB LAB this test is done by ROCHE ROUTINE CHEMISTRY.
What might affect my test results?
Test results may be falsely lower if you have diabetic ketoacidosis or severe liver disease. Many medicines may also affect the results.