Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Test Code

AST

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB131

SGOT
GOT

CPT Codes
84450

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.10 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 12 weeks

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, hemolyzed.

Methodology

NADH (without P-5’-P).

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Hemolysis increases results by up to 12%. Bilirubin may decrease results by 5%, and Intralipid by 3%.

Reference Range

Males
0 - 1 year: 35 - 140 U/L
1 - 4 years: 20 - 60 U/L
15 - 50 years: U/L
7 - 10 years: 15 - 40 U/L
10 - 12 years: 10 - 60 U/L
12 - 16 years: 15 - 40 U/L
16 - 18 years: 15 -45 U/L
18 - 150 years: 5 - 34 U/L

Females
0 - 1 year: 35 - 140 U/L
1 - 4 years: 20 - 60 U/L
15 - 50 years: U/L
7 - 10 years: 15 - 40 U/L
10 - 12 years: 10 - 40 U/L
12 - 16 years: 10 - 30 U/L
16 - 18 years: 5 - 30 U/L
18 - 150 years: 5 - 34 U/L

Clinical Significance

Both AST (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase or SGOT) and ALT are normally found in most body fluids, but not in urine except in instances of kidney lesions. The greatest concentrations of AST are found in heart, liver, muscle and kidney tissues. Damage to these tissues can greatly elevate serum AST levels. Following myocardial infarction, AST levels increase within 6 - 8 hours of onset of pain and peak within 18 - 24 hours and falling to normal by the fourth or fifth day. Serum values may increase to 10 – 15 times normal levels and the increase is roughly proportional to the degree of tissue damage.

Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 6, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.