serum Glutamic – Oxaloacetic Transaminase [SGOT] / Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST]

1.      Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST]/ serum Glutamic – Oxaloacetic Transaminase  [SGOT]

Introduction

Aminotransferases like ALT and AST that are concentrated in liver used as indicators of hepatocellular damage. Both parallel to each other but in alcohol related disease ALT is lower than AST.

 

 Indications

Differential diagnosis of disease of hepatobiliary system and pancreas; repeat testing to establish chronicity of viral hepatitis; to check hepatotoxicity of a drug.

 

Normal levels
Men	Women	0-3 years
10 – 40 U/L	9 - 25 U/L	20 – 60 U/L

 

Increased in

Liver disease: Acute viral infections e.g. viral hepatitis A, B, C (value is increased up to 50 times the normal, peak levels up to 400 – 4000 U or more are reached during the icteric phase and gradually decline, during recovery phase); hepatotoxic drugs and chemicals (e.g. antifungals, narcotics and barbiturates, acetaminophen, salicylates); musculoskeletal disorders (myoglobinuria); acute myocardial infarction; acute pancreatitis; all common fevers (value raised up to 40 – 100 U) e.g. malaria, typhoid, extra pulmonary tuberculosis, dengue fever.