![]() ![]() Learn how this test works and how it can help your doctor. AST (Aspartate transaminase) also called SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxalocetic Transaminase) or ASAT (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is similar to ALT (Alanine Transaminase). Less Common Causes of Abnormal Aminotransferase Levels Evaluation of Healthy Patients for Mild to Moderate Rises in Aminotransferase Levels. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, or SGOT)What It Is. An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test is often part of an initial screening for liver disease. The liver plays a variety of important roles in the body: It stores fuel from food, makes proteins, and helps remove toxins from the body. Liver function tests — Overview covers definition, results of these tests for liver disease.The liver also makes bile, a fluid that helps in digestion. Proteins called enzymes help the liver build and break down proteins. AST (or SGOT, which stands for serum glutamic- oxaloacetic transaminase) is one of these enzymes. AST is found in many tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart, muscles, kidney, and brain. If any of these organs or tissues is affected by disease or injury, AST is released into the bloodstream. This means that AST isn't as specific an indicator of liver damage as ALT (also known as alanine aminotransferase, another type of enzyme found almost entirely in the liver). However, when doctors look at blood levels of AST — especially in relation to the amounts of other liver enzymes — they can get important information about the liver and whether a disease, inflammation, drug, or other problem is affecting it. Why It's Done. If your child is experiencing symptoms of liver disease — including jaundice (yellowish skin or eyes), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal swelling — the AST test may be ordered. It may also be ordered to help diagnose infections of the liver such as viral hepatitis, to monitor patients taking medications that can cause liver- related side effects, or to evaluate an injury to the liver. The AST test is often performed as part of a full liver function panel that includes other liver enzyme tests. Looking at AST levels along with those of other liver enzymes — such as ALT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) — can give doctors more specific information about liver problems. Preparation. No special preparations are needed for this test. You should tell your doctor about any medications your child is taking because certain drugs might alter the test results. On the day of the test, having your child wear a T- shirt or short- sleeved shirt can make things faster and easier for the technician who will be drawing the blood. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test and Results. Test Overview. An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is found mainly in the liver, but also in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles, and pancreas. ![]() ALT was formerly called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or diseased. Low levels of ALT are normally found in the blood. But when the liver is damaged or diseased, it releases ALT into the bloodstream, which makes ALT levels go up. Most increases in ALT levels are caused by liver damage. The ALT test is often done along with other tests that check for liver damage, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin. Both ALT and AST levels are reliable tests for liver damage. Why It Is Done. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is done to: Identify liver disease, especially cirrhosis and hepatitis caused by alcohol, drugs, or viruses. Help check for liver damage. Find out whether jaundice was caused by a blood disorder or liver disease. ![]() Glucose-alanine cycle: definition, steps, reactions, and gluconeogenesis. Role during fasting and prolonged exercise. Relationship with the Cori cycle. Online Medical Dictionary and glossary with medical definitions, a listing. Amino acid L-alanine: Find out about benefits and side effects. Studies show that L-alanine promotes MUSCLE GROWTH and reduces lactic acid! Best products. Keep track of the effects of medicines that can damage the liver. How To Prepare. Avoid strenuous exercise just before having an ALT test. Tell your doctor: Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?). How It Is Done. The health professional taking a sample of your blood will: Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein. Clean the needle site with alcohol. Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed. It is often ordered in conjunction with aspartate aminotransferase (AST. LIVER FUNCTION TESTS LFTs (liver function tests) are a group of blood tests that can help to show how well a person's liver is working. Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected. Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed. Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage. Continued. How It Feels. The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch. Risks. There is very little chance of a problem from having blood sample taken from a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. Ongoing bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood- thinning medicines can make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood- thinning medicines, tell your doctor before your blood sample is taken. Results. An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. Results are usually available within 1. Normal. The normal values listed here- called a reference range- are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab. High values. High levels of ALT may be caused by: Continued. What Affects the Test. You may not be able to have the test, or the results may not be helpful, if: What To Think About. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value is often used along with the results of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test to obtain the AST to ALT ratio. This value can often help determine whether there is damage to the liver related to alcohol abuse. For more information, see the topic Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). The gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) test is sometimes done along with other liver enzyme tests. In children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), very high ALT levels may mean that the disease is likely to progress rapidly. Many different conditions can raise ALT blood levels, so other testing is usually needed to interpret an abnormal ALT result. References. Citations. Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Other Works Consulted. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 6th ed. Louis: Saunders. Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2. Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. Louis: Mosby. Credits. By. Healthwise Staff. Primary Medical Reviewer. E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine. Specialist Medical Reviewer. Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology. Current as of. August 2. Web. MD Medical Reference from Healthwise. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
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