Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, AST, GOT)

Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, AST, GOT)

Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, GOT, AST) is an intracellular enzyme found in the liver, heart muscle, skeletal muscles, kidneys and red blood cells. However, the biochemical test that measures AspAT activity in the blood is mainly used to diagnose liver disease. AST is also known as one of the so-called “liver function tests”, which measure enzymes used to assess this organ. Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, GOT, AST) is also used to detect and assess abnormalities in hepatocytes and protein synthesis, and to detect changes resulting from impaired bile flow. An AspAT blood test is very often carried out in women who regularly take oral contraceptives (these medicines place a considerable strain on the liver).

Aspartate aminotransferase is usually present in the blood in trace amounts. It enters the blood when a cell is damaged. If a biochemical test reveals increased AspAT activity, this usually indicates a form of liver disease. The result report is issued in Polish.

The normal range for aspartate aminotransferase is from 5 to 40 U/l.

Increased aspartate aminotransferase activity may primarily be a sign of liver conditions such as:

• viral hepatitis
• toxic liver damage caused by chemical compounds
• inflammation of the bile ducts
• inflammation and necrosis in the liver

An increase in AspAT may also indicate:

• necrosis of the heart muscle,
• skeletal muscle damage,
• glandular fever,
• hypoxia (insufficient oxygen supply)
• circulatory failure

An increase in AspAT activity to between 400 and 4000 U/l may indicate:

• a heart attack, with activity peaking from 4 to 6 hours after the heart attack and remaining elevated for a further 3 days. However, in milder heart attacks, the level of this enzyme may remain within the normal range
• acute rheumatoid myocarditis
• Increased activity may also occur after cardiac surgery, angiocardiography of the blood vessels and heart, and vigorous cardiac massage.

There is no doubt that AST is a marker of liver damage. However, remember that all enzyme test results must be interpreted alongside the results of other clinical investigations, that is, in the context of the overall clinical picture rather than as an isolated result.

If your result shows elevated aspartate aminotransferase, the next step should probably be an abdominal ultrasound to assess the condition of your liver.

Regular AspAT testing should be carried out in:

• women taking oral contraceptives or using contraceptive patches
• people diagnosed with viral hepatitis
• people taking a wide range of medicines (to assess whether these are irritating the liver)
• people receiving long-term hormone therapy
• people with symptoms suggesting liver or bile duct problems (e.g. upper abdominal pain, recurrent indigestion, frequent bloating)

Remember that the liver may not cause any pain for a very long time, and, contrary to advertisements, simply taking tablets is not enough to heal it. It is worth checking the condition of your liver from time to time with a simple aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT, AST, GOT) test. You should attend in the morning on an empty stomach to have blood collected from a vein. The result is available the next day.

* If your results fall outside the normal range, we recommend consulting a doctor.