AST

"Clinical Significance
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) - AST is widely distributed throughout the tissues with significant amounts being in the heart and liver. Lesser amounts are found in skeletal muscles, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, lungs, and brain. Injury to these tissues results in the release of the AST enzyme to general circulation. In myocardial infarction, serum AST may begin to rise within 6-8 hours after onset, peak within two days and return to normal by the fourth or fifth day post infarction. An increase in serum AST is also found with hepatitis, liver necrosis, cirrhosis, and liver metastasis.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Alternative Specimen(s)
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Minimum Volume
0.5 mL

Transport Container
Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Anticoagulants other than heparin

Setup Schedule, Specimen Stability"

Methodology
Spectrophotometry  (SP)

Reference Range(s)
     Male (U/L)    Female (U/L)
<1 Month    3-51    3-49
1-11 Months    3-65    3-79
1-3 Years    3-56    3-69
4-6 Years    20-39    20-39
7-19 Years    12-32    12-32
20-49 Years    10-40     
20-44 Years         10-30
≥45 Years         10-35
≥50 Years    10-35     

Alternative Name(s)
AST,SGOT