Biomarker education
AST: What It Measures & Why People Track It
Also called: Aspartate aminotransferase, SGOT
AST is an enzyme measured on many metabolic or liver panels and reviewed alongside ALT.
General biomarker education — not personalized medical advice. Learn more
Result on your report
IllustrativeAST
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Range: Low – High
LowReference intervalHigh
What it generally measures
AST appears in liver, muscle, and other tissues. A blood value alone does not identify a single cause.
Common units on reports: U/L
Why people track it over time
People often look at AST with ALT over time to prepare questions for a clinician. Directional change is not a diagnosis.
Changes over time do not by themselves establish a diagnosis. Learn more
Questions you might ask a healthcare professional
Questions to bring
IllustrativeAsk how AST and ALT move together across your reports.
Discuss recent strenuous activity or illness if your clinician has said those matter for you.
Use the range from your source lab when comparing.
Related markers
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