II. Definition
- Serum transaminase marker of hepatocyte injury
- Less specific than ALT (present outside liver)
III. Normal
- Level: <35 U/L
IV. Increased
- See Liver Function Test Abnormality
- Sensitive marker for hepatocellular marker
- Same causes as Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
- AST is less specific then ALT (present outside liver)
- Heart, lung, Kidney, brain, Pancreas, Muscle
- White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells
-
Liver disease causes of increased AST
- See Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
- Non-liver disease causes of increased AST
- Myocardial Infarction
- Myocarditis
- Renal Infarction
- Pulmonary Infarction
- Severe muscle Trauma
- Dermatomyositis
- Polymyositis
- Malignancy
- Seizure Disorder
- Hyperthyroidism
- Celiac Sprue
- Hemolysis
- Conditions with ratio of AST to ALT > 2
- Alcoholism
- Wilson's Disease (ratio may exceed 4)