AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
Chemical Pathology
Notes
Aspartate aminotransferase, AST (previously known as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) is an enzyme which is widely distributed but the greatest activity occurs in liver, heart, skeletal muscle and in erythrocytes.
AST has both cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of the enzyme, unlike another enzyme ALT which is only cytosolic.
ALT is more liver specific than AST and hence it is ALT which forms part of the routine liver profile (LFT's).
Sample requirements
For adults, 5 ml of blood taken into a 5mL gold top tube (rust top for the Acute Unit)
For children, blood taken into a 3.5mL rust top tube
For neonates, blood taken into a 0.8mL lithium heparin minicollect tube
Storage/transport
Do not store. Send at ambient temperature to the laboratory the same day.
Required information
Relevant clinical details.
Turnaround times
The in-lab turnaround time is normally less than 24 hours.
Reference ranges
Male Less than 50 U/L
Female Less than 35 U/L
Further information
Analyte Monograph alongside the National Laboratory Medicine Handbook
Page last updated 31/10/2017