Which tests measure Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)?

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) is measured in 1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com, including Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP).

Biomarker Reference · AST

What does the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) test measure?

Q: Why is Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) measured?

Within the CMP, AST is interpreted alongside ALT to characterise the hepatocellular injury pattern. An AST:ALT ratio above 2:1 — particularly with absolute AST elevation — is the classic pattern of alcoholic liver disease (Discriminant Function calculation uses AST and bilirubin). An isolated AST elevation with normal ALT suggests non-hepatic sources — cardiac injury (acute MI, myocarditis), skeletal muscle disease (rhabdomyolysis, myopathy), or thyroid disease. In NAFLD, both ALT and AST are elevated but ALT predominates (ALT:AST >1). In acute liver failure, both ALT and AST may be extremely elevated (>1000 U/L) with the AST:ALT ratio becoming less discriminating.

Q: What is the reference range for Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)?

The standard reference range for Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) is 10–40 U/L # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Quest Diagnostics reference range for AST and whether sex-specific values are applied. Some platforms use 10–35 U/L (female) and 10–40 U/L (male).. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform — interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) (AST) is a clinical biomarker used in metabolic-diabetes assessment. AST is present in hepatocytes, cardiac myocytes, skeletal muscle, kidney, and brain — making it a less liver-specific marker than ALT. It is measured in 1 laboratory test on BiomarkersLabs.com.

Reference Range: 10–40 U/L # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Quest Diagnostics reference range for AST and whether sex-specific values are applied. Some platforms use 10–35 U/L (female) and 10–40 U/L (male).
Units: U/L, IU/L
Measured In: 1 test
Category: Metabolic

Functional medicine optimal<25 U/L (functional medicine optimal for minimal hepatocellular stress and inflammation). # REVIEWER FLAG: Not standardised as a clinical target — reviewer to confirm framing.

What is Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)?

AST is present in hepatocytes, cardiac myocytes, skeletal muscle, kidney, and brain — making it a less liver-specific marker than ALT. In hepatocytes, AST is found in both cytoplasmic (soluble) and mitochondrial isoforms. Severe hepatocellular injury releases both isoforms; milder injury releases predominantly the cytoplasmic form. The mitochondrial AST fraction is particularly elevated in alcoholic liver disease and ischaemic hepatitis.

Why is Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) measured?

Within the CMP, AST is interpreted alongside ALT to characterise the hepatocellular injury pattern. An AST:ALT ratio above 2:1 — particularly with absolute AST elevation — is the classic pattern of alcoholic liver disease (Discriminant Function calculation uses AST and bilirubin). An isolated AST elevation with normal ALT suggests non-hepatic sources — cardiac injury (acute MI, myocarditis), skeletal muscle disease (rhabdomyolysis, myopathy), or thyroid disease. In NAFLD, both ALT and AST are elevated but ALT predominates (ALT:AST >1). In acute liver failure, both ALT and AST may be extremely elevated (>1000 U/L) with the AST:ALT ratio becoming less discriminating.

Reference ranges

Standard reference: 10–40 U/L # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Quest Diagnostics reference range for AST and whether sex-specific values are applied. Some platforms use 10–35 U/L (female) and 10–40 U/L (male).
Functional medicine optimal: <25 U/L (functional medicine optimal for minimal hepatocellular stress and inflammation). # REVIEWER FLAG: Not standardised as a clinical target — reviewer to confirm framing.
Units: U/L, IU/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.

Tests that measure Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT)

1 test on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.

BML-MET-003Comprehensive

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, SGOT) reference range in this test: 10–40 U/L # REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Quest Diagnostics reference range for AST and whether sex-specific values are applied. Some platforms use 10–35 U/L (female) and 10–40 U/L (male).

Related clinical conditions

Related Biomarkers

Frequently measured alongside

Glucose, Serum (Fasting)Glu1 test Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)BUN1 test Creatinine, SerumCr1 test Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)eGFR1 test Sodium, SerumNa⁺1 test Potassium, SerumK⁺1 test Chloride, SerumCl⁻1 test Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate), SerumCO₂ / HCO₃⁻1 test

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