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Aspartate Aminotransferase

Aspartate Aminotransferase

Also referred as
Aspartate Transaminase
For men & women
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Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) test is used to detect damage to cells, particularly assessing the liver condition. When our liver gets damaged or the muscles, brain, heart, or kidneys are not functioning properly, AST leaks into the bloodstream and the levels get elevated. Your doctor may order this test if you’re at high risk of developing liver problems. Your liver plays important roles in your body, including making proteins and removing toxins. The increased risk of having a liver problem is heavy alcohol or drug usage, being overweight and hepatitis.


AST is found in other parts of the body whereas alanine aminotranferase (ALT) is more concentrated in the liver, so if AST is high while ALT is normal, it can be a sign of a problem outside the liver.

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What does Aspartate Aminotransferase measure?

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme which is found in most of the body cells but mainly in the heart and liver. It is also present in kidneys and muscles but in smaller amounts. Normally, the levels of AST are low, but the levels rise when there is an injury to cells of the liver or muscle. 

 

The function of the liver is to process the nutrients of the body. It also produces bile which helps in digesting fats along with the production of other important proteins such as blood clotting factors and albumin. The liver breaks the potentially toxic substances into harmless products which can be used or eliminated by the body. 

 

The rise in levels of AST can be due to conditions causing liver damage such as hepatitis, drugs which are toxic to liver, cirrhosis, or alcoholism. The AST test is not specific for the liver. Its levels may also rise in conditions which affect other parts of the body.

This test is done with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test. Both the enzymes are found in the liver and their levels rise in case of liver damage. The ratio of AST/ALT helps in differentiating between the causes of liver damage in case of injury to heart or muscle. 



FAQs related to Aspartate Aminotransferase

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.
AST test is advised in patients who have a risk of liver damage such as heavy drinkers, overweight persons, and diabetics. People who might have been exposed to hepatitis viruses, have a family history of liver disease are also at risk of liver damage. Therefore, they may need to undergo the test as well.
The signs and symptoms of liver disorder include weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, and jaundice. One may also notice dark colored urine, light-colored stool, itching, and swelling in the legs and ankles. They may also develop a tendency of getting bruised easily.
The healthcare provider takes a blood sample from the arm. The site from where the blood is to be withdrawn is cleaned with a swab of rubbing alcohol. This is then followed by inserting a small needle which has a tube attached to it for collecting blood. Once the sufficient blood for analysis is withdrawn, the needle is removed. The site is then covered with a gauze pad.
As such there is no risk but in few cases, bruising, bleeding, and infection at the puncture site can be seen. In very few cases, there can be swelling of the vein after the blood is withdrawn.
Content created by
Written by:
Dr. Lipika Khurana
BDS, PGDHHM
Reviewed by:
Dr. Swati Gupta (Anand)
MBBS, MD Lab Medicine
Want to know moreRead our editorial policy
Last Updated10th Mar 2026

Aspartate Aminotransferase test price for other cities

Price inAhmedabadRs. 200
Price inAllahabadRs. 200
Price inBangaloreRs. 180
Price inBhopalRs. 200
Price inChandigarhRs. 200

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Aspartate Aminotransferase