Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Aspartate transaminase/ aminotransferase
Aspartate transaminase/ aminotransferase
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Aspartate transaminase/ aminotransferase |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | AST |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Measurement of AST is indicated in the diagnosis, differentiation and monitoring of hepatobiliary disease, myocardial infarction and skeletal muscle damage. AST may be increased in viral hepatitis and liver disease associated with hepatic necrosis. Increased AST levels may be detected in cirrhosis, extra hepatic cholestasis, progressive muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, acute pancreatitis, haemolytic disease, gangrene, crushed muscle injuries and pulmonary emboli. Slight or moderate increases of AST levels may also be observed after ingestion of alcohol or administration of drugs including penicillin, salicylates or opiates. An AST: ALT ratio >2 is typical of alcoholic liver disease but may also occur in non-alcoholic aetiologies and should be interpreted in the context of other findings. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 4 days at 15-25°C and 7 days at 2-8°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | Males: 0-35 IU/L Females: 0-31 IU/L |
| Limitations | AST is also raised in conditions involving cardiac or skeletal muscle damage, including recent intramuscular injections. Haemolysis falsely increases AST values. Highly lipemic samples may exceed the reaction absorbance. Sulfasalazine / Sulfapyridine (300mg/L, therapeutic dose) may lead to falsely low results (up to 24% negative bias); Furosemide can cause falsely high results; Isoniazid can cause falsely low results; Hydroxycobalamin / Cyanokit (cyanide antidote) may cause interfernce with results. |
| Notes |
