Is your AST level high in your blood report? (AST - Aspartate Transferase) - Let's find out about this simply!

When you pick up a blood test report, some of the words and English letters in it make you a little scared, don't they? When you see things like SGOT, AST, ALT, you think, 'What is this?' Most of the time, these are tests that check the health of our liver. So today, let's talk about what AST is, what does it mean when its value increases, and whether you should be afraid of it, very simply, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is AST?

Simply put, AST, which stands for Aspartate Transferase, is an enzyme in our body. An enzyme is a special type of protein that helps our body carry out various chemical processes properly. This enzyme called AST is found in many places in our body. For example, in places like the liver, heart, brain, kidneys, and muscles.

Just think, even though there are coconut trees almost everywhere in our country, when we say 'coconut', we immediately think of places like Kurunegala and Puttalam, right? That's how it is with the enzyme called AST. Although it is found in many places in the body, it is most closely associated with our liver . That is why doctors pay special attention to this AST value when examining the health of the liver.

So what does the AST blood test look for?

When our body cells are damaged, the AST enzyme inside those cells leaks into the bloodstream. So, an AST blood test measures how much AST is in your blood. If the AST level in your blood is much higher than normal, it indicates that there is damage to cells somewhere in the body. Most often, this damage is in the liver.

But this alone cannot tell you exactly what the disease is. That's why doctors don't usually give this AST test alone. It is given as part of a series of liver-related tests (Liver Function Test Panel) or a series of tests that look at the general health of our body (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - CMP).

What is the difference between AST and ALT?

You may have seen that along with AST, ALT (Alanine transferase) is also present in your blood report. Both of these are known as liver enzymes. But there is a slight difference.

Think of ALT as a specialist who only looks at the liver. But AST is like someone who looks at many organs in the body in general. That means, if the ALT value is high, it is more likely that there is a problem with the liver itself . But when the AST value is high, it could also be due to the liver, or it could be due to a problem somewhere else, like the heart or muscles. That is why doctors compare these two values ​​and come to a conclusion.

Why would a doctor tell you to take an AST test?

Your doctor may order this test for three main reasons.

1. Screening before symptoms appear

Sometimes, even if you don't have any symptoms, your doctor may order this test if you have risk factors for liver damage.

• If you are a regular drinker .
• If anyone in your family has had liver disease.
• If you have diabetes .
• If the body weight is too high (Obesity) .
• If you inject drugs using needles that have been used by others.

2. Monitor an existing situation (Monitoring)

If you already have a liver condition, this test is used to see if the condition is improving, staying the same, or getting worse with treatment. Your doctor may also order this test more frequently if you are taking certain medications that can affect the liver.

3. Diagnosing when symptoms occur

If you are showing symptoms that suggest you have a liver problem, this test can help find the cause.

• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Stomach ache.
• Itching.
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) .
• Constant fatigue.
• The food is tasteless.

Do you need to prepare for a blood test?

If you are having an AST test alone, you usually do not need to fast. However, if you are having this test with a series of tests like the CMP, you will need to fast for about 10-12 hours (you can only drink water). However, your doctor will give you clear instructions about this. It is important to follow those instructions exactly.

Another important thing is that the regular medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and even Ayurvedic medicines you take can affect your AST levels. Therefore , it is very important to tell your doctor about all of these before the test. Do not stop taking any medication until your doctor tells you to.

How to understand the AST report?

Your blood test report will show your AST level and the normal range for that level. This value is usually between 8 and 33 units per liter (8 to 33 U/L). However, this range can vary slightly from one lab to another.

What are the possible causes of elevated AST levels?

If the AST level is high, it can be a sign of liver disease. However, it is not always due to the liver. AST levels can also be high for other reasons. The table below will give you a clear understanding of this.

Should I be worried about my elevated AST levels?

Not at all. Just because your AST report is slightly above the normal range, it doesn't mean you have a serious illness. Even in healthy people, this value can be slightly outside the normal range for various reasons.

So don't panic just because of one test result. Your doctor will look at your other reports, your health history, and the medications you take to come to an accurate conclusion. If necessary, he may order several more tests. For example:

• Another blood test.
• Scan tests.
• Taking a small piece of tissue from the liver for examination (Biopsy).

If you have symptoms similar to yellow fever or have any doubts about your report, talk to your doctor about it openly. He or she will explain everything to you.

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