Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase)

What To Think About

• The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test is more effective than the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test for detecting liver damage caused by alcohol abuse. The AST to ALT ratio may sometimes help determine if liver damage is related to alcohol dependence. For more information, see the medical test Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT).
• Many different conditions can raise AST blood levels, so other testing is usually needed to interpret an abnormal AST result.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: January 2, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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