Description
AST (aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme that is found mostly in the liver, but also in muscles. It helps to diagnose liver damage or disease as when your liver is damaged, it releases AST into your bloodstream.
An AST blood test measures the amount of AST in your blood. Lesser amounts are found in skeletal muscles, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, lungs, and brain.If any damage happens to the tissue it releases the AST enzyme.During hepatitis, liver necrosis, cirrhosis, and liver metastasis there is an increase in serum AST.Older name of this test is called serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase.AST test is used to screen if there is any liver inflammation or injury
Typically the range for normal AST is reported between 10 to 40 units per liter. Mild elevations are generally considered to be 2-3 times higher than the normal range. In some conditions, these enzymes can be severely elevated, in the 1000s range.When your liver is damaged, it puts more AST into your blood, and your levels rise. A high AST level is a sign of liver damage, but it can also mean you have damage to another organ that makes it, like your heart or kidneys. That`s why doctors often do the AST test together with tests of other liver enzymes.
