Liver health
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Aspartate transaminase, SGOT
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Compare membershipsAST comes from your liver and your muscles.
AST is an enzyme found in the liver and also in muscle, the heart, and other tissues. It's usually read alongside ALT to help assess liver health and to spot when a raised result may be coming from muscle or elsewhere.
Recent hard exercise can raise your AST.
Because muscle contains AST, strenuous exercise or a muscle injury can push your level up even when your liver is healthy. If you trained hard in the days before your blood draw, mention it when you review your results.
Comparing AST with ALT gives extra clues. ALT is more specific to the liver, so a rise in AST on its own may point to muscle. When AST is clearly higher than ALT, a clinician may also ask about alcohol.
Read AST alongside ALT, and remember your last workout.
Questions
Does a high AST mean I have liver disease?
It doesn't necessarily. Muscle strain, intense exercise, some medications, and conditions affecting other organs can raise it. Your clinician will look at ALT, GGT, and your history to work out the likely source.
Should I change my exercise before the test?
If you can, avoid unusually hard or new workouts in the days before your blood draw. That helps your result reflect your usual baseline. Normal daily activity is fine.