AST

Message

Chemistry

Test Code

LAB131

Alias/See Also

SGOT, Aspartate Aminotransferase

CPT Codes
84450

Includes

AST

Preferred Specimen

Light green top tube (lithium heparin plasma)

Minimum Volume

Whole blood: 600 uL ( one full light-green-top microtainer or two full red-top microtainers).

Serum/plasma: 300 uL plasma

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold top (serum separator tube) or Red Top

Instructions

Included in Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
LAB: Hemolyzed specimens should not be used. Centrifuge specimens and remove the serum or plasma from the cellular material within 3 days of collection.

Avoid agitation or mixing of plasma samples after centrifugation. Re-suspension of platelets into previously centrifuged plasma may lead to artificially elevated AST results because of high AST activity in platelets.
If adding onto an existing green top >1 hour, retrieve specimen from storage first. Add on AST to the existing green top in EPIC. Transfer plasma into a red-top container and manually respin.

Specimen Stability

Ambient: ≤ 3 days
Refrigerated: ≤ 7 days
Frozen: ≤ 3 months

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

Hemolyzed, contaminated, not enough volume

FDA Status
Approved

Setup Schedule

Everyday

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

17-59 U/L (male)
14-36 U/L (female)

Performing Laboratory
Hoag Newport/ Hoag Irvine

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.