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If your AST (SGOT) blood test came back high or flagged abnormal, it can be hard to know whether it’s serious. Here’s how to interpret your number, what causes elevations, and when follow-up testing makes sense.
AST, also called SGOT, is one of the core enzymes used to evaluate liver health. But unlike ALT, AST is also found in your heart, muscles, kidneys, and red blood cells. That means your AST result needs context to understand whether it’s reflecting liver stress, metabolic changes, or something as simple as a hard workout.
| Group | Optimal | Elevated | Highly Elevated | Very Highly Elevated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men (U/L) | <45 | 46–90 | 91–1000 | >1000 |
| Women (U/L) | <35 | 36–70 | 71–1000 | >1000 |
Measure AST with the supporting liver markers that help put the number in context, then retest when you need to track a change.
A high AST result can come from both liver and non-liver sources because AST is found in the liver, muscles, heart and other tissues. An elevated result does not automatically mean you have liver disease.
AST is most useful when reviewed alongside ALT and other liver markers. Looking at the relationship between AST and ALT can provide more context about what may be affecting your results.
A low AST level is rarely a clinical concern. For most people, it simply reflects a normal result and does not require treatment or additional testing.
Possible reasons for a low AST result include:
Persistently low AST alongside symptoms may warrant a broader review of vitamin B6, kidney function and metabolic markers. For most people, however, a low AST result is considered normal.
At-home liver testing makes it possible to measure AST and other liver-related biomarkers without visiting a traditional laboratory.
Use the provided materials to collect a small finger-prick blood sample at home.
Return your sample using the included prepaid mailing materials.
Review your biomarker results in your secure Choose Health dashboard.
Compare future results to your baseline and monitor how your markers change over time.
Both Choose Health liver tests include AST. The right option depends on whether you want a focused view of liver function or broader liver and metabolic insights.
Measure AST alongside six additional markers associated with liver health and function. This is the more focused option for establishing a liver baseline and monitoring changes over time.
View the Liver Function TestMeasure AST alongside ALT, GGT, bilirubin, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, iron markers and more for a broader view of liver and metabolic health.
View the Comprehensive Liver Test| AST Result | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Normal AST | Track annually or as part of ongoing metabolic health monitoring. |
| Mildly Elevated AST | Avoid alcohol for several days; skip heavy workouts for 48–72 hours; review medications or supplements; retest in 2–4 weeks; check ALT and GGT for supporting patterns. |
| Significantly Elevated AST | Review the full liver panel; evaluate the AST:ALT ratio; speak with a clinician (Choose Health telehealth available); consider imaging or additional testing. |
| Low AST | Usually normal; check vitamin B6 intake if diet is limited; follow up only if symptoms or other abnormal markers are present. |
Test AST with ALT, GGT and the AST:ALT ratio, then retest after changing alcohol, exercise or other factors that may be affecting the result.
Common questions about what AST measures, what can affect your results and when retesting may be useful.
AST, or aspartate aminotransferase, is an enzyme found in the liver, muscles, heart and other tissues. An AST blood test measures how much of the enzyme is present in your bloodstream. Higher levels can occur when liver or muscle cells are stressed, inflamed or injured.
SGOT stands for serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. It is the older name for AST. SGOT and AST refer to the same enzyme and the same blood test, although most laboratories now use the term AST.
No. AST is not found only in the liver. Strenuous exercise, muscle injury, alcohol use, certain medications and other health conditions can also raise AST levels. AST is usually interpreted alongside ALT and other test results to help identify the most likely source.
A low AST result is usually considered normal and is generally not a cause for concern. Your result should still be reviewed in the context of the laboratory’s reference range and your other blood markers.
For general health monitoring, AST may be checked during routine blood testing once or twice a year. More frequent testing may be appropriate if you have liver or metabolic risk factors, take medications that can affect the liver or are monitoring a previously abnormal result. A healthcare professional can recommend a testing schedule based on your individual health history.
AST results should not be interpreted alone. ALT, GGT, bilirubin and other liver markers can provide additional context about what may be affecting your result.
Start with a baseline, review AST alongside ALT, GGT and the AST:ALT ratio, then retest when you want to see whether alcohol, exercise, medication or metabolic changes moved the number.
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