Pathology Associates Of Lexington, P.A.

SGOT, AST Test, Blood

AST/SGOT is primarily a mitochondrial-based enzyme (but in cytosol, also) and will be higher than ALT when cell injury is due to agents (alcohol) that focus on mitochondrial injury. Plentiful in myocardial,skeletal muscle, renal, brain, and blood. Has a much shorter half lfe than ALT.

normal levels:

normal persons

decreased levels:

sometimes reduced during pregnancy

increased levels:

isolated increase in alcoholic & in muscle disease
many types of organ injury

References:

Cleveland Clinic CME Website
Pratt DS, Kaplan MM. Evaluation of abnormal liver enzyme results in asymptomic patients. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:1266-1271.
hepatic lab tests, Practice Guidelines, National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB), USA.

(posted 10 July 2004; latest addition 7 March 2010)