AST (SGOT) — Normal Range & Interpretation
Full name: Aspartate Aminotransferase
AST, also called SGOT, is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys, and red blood cells. Clinicians order it as part of the CMP and hepatic panel to evaluate hepatocellular injury, though its presence in multiple tissues makes it less liver-specific than ALT. The AST-to-ALT ratio sharpens diagnostic value in hepatic disease.
| Male | Female | Unit | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–40 | 10–40 | U/L | CMP / Hepatic Panel |
Clinical Context
AST, also called SGOT, is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys, and red blood cells. Clinicians order it as part of the CMP and hepatic panel to evaluate hepatocellular injury, though its presence in multiple tissues makes it less liver-specific than ALT. The AST-to-ALT ratio sharpens diagnostic value in hepatic disease.
Elevations occur with viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatotoxic medications such as acetaminophen and statins, biliary obstruction, and hepatic ischemia. An AST:ALT ratio greater than 2:1 points strongly to alcoholic liver disease. Non-hepatic causes include myocardial infarction, rhabdomyolysis, strenuous exercise, hemolysis, and muscular dystrophy. Decreased AST carries little clinical significance and appears in vitamin B6 deficiency and advanced cirrhosis with depleted hepatocyte mass.
Classic AANP vignette: the AST:ALT ratio pattern in alcoholic liver disease, differentiation between hepatocellular and cholestatic injury, and identification of statin-induced hepatotoxicity requiring medication adjustment. Expect questions linking isolated AST elevation with normal ALT to muscle or cardiac sources rather than liver pathology. Candidates should also recognize that mild elevations up to three times the upper limit warrant repeat testing, while marked elevations prompt immediate workup for acute hepatitis or ischemic injury.
Practice Questions
A 45-year-old male presents for a pre-employment physical. His comprehensive metabolic panel shows AST (SGOT) of 32 U/L, with normal ALT, ALP, and bilirubin. He denies alcohol use and takes no medications. Which of the following best describes his AST result?
Related Labs
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