Synonym
Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (GOT)
Adult patient:
Heparin gel tube
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Plain bottle
Minimum volume: 10 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric heparin tube
Number of vials: 1
Minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
Yes
(Call extension: 3353 for express result)
No
Method
Spectrophotometry
Reference interval
| Female: | < 35 U/L (at 37 °C) |
| Male: | < 50 U/L (at 37 °C) |
(Source: from manufacturer's kit insert)
Clinical indication
Detection and monitoring of liver cell damage
Result interpretation
A parameter of 'Ranson Score' for predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis
Increased levels are found with hepatocellular disease.
The AST / ALT ratio is typically > 1 in alcoholic liver disease and < 1 in non-alcoholic liver disease.
Although AST levels are increased with cardiac and skeletal muscle disease, more specific tests are available in these situations.
Haemolysis during collection or refrigeration of unseparated blood may cause an artefactual increase.
Sulfasalazine and Sulfapyridine interfere in ALT and AST analytical measurement. Patients currently treated with Sulfasalazine and Sulfapyridine might receive false results of ALTand AST.
Cyanokit (Hydroxocobalamin) may cause interference with results.
Measurement of uncertainty
Frequency of measurement
Daily