The AST test, which measures aspartate aminotransferase in the blood, looks for liver disease. This test may be prescribed by your physician to determine whether you have liver disease and to track your progress through therapy. An organ like your liver performs a variety of crucial functions. Bile, a substance it produces, aids in the digestion of meals in your body.
Furthermore, it cleanses your blood of wastes and other poisons. In addition to chemicals that aid in blood clotting, it creates proteins. Your liver can become damaged and incapable of performing these functions if you use alcohol or drugs, or if you have disorders like hepatitis. Your liver produces the AST enzyme. Tiny amounts are also produced in smaller quantities by your heart, kidneys, brain, and muscles.
How Aspartate Aminotransferase Test will be taken?
Your blood’s AST levels are typically low. Your levels of AST increase when your liver is injured because it releases more into the blood. A high AST level can indicate damage to the liver or to another organ that produces it, such as the heart or kidneys. For this reason, clinicians frequently combine the AST test with assessments of other liver enzymes. Your blood will be drawn by a nurse or lab technician, typically from a vein in your arm. They will initially wrap a band over the top portion of your arm in order to cause a blood clot and vein swelling.
After applying an antiseptic to a spot on your arm, they will insert a needle into a vein. You’ll put your blood in a tube or vial. It should simply take a few minutes to perform the blood test. The lab technician will remove the band and pull out the needle after drawing your blood. To stop the bleeding, they’ll apply a bandage and a piece of gauze to the area where the needle was inserted.
What is an AST blood test?
The quantity of aspartate transferees in your blood is determined by an AST blood test. An AST blood test is typically used by your doctor to determine how well your liver is functioning. But it can also reveal information about other medical issues. AST can leak into your bloodstream when your cells are destroyed. As a result, having high levels of AST in a blood sample may indicate the presence of an underlying illness, usually (but not always) a liver disorder.
Healthcare professionals don’t use the test alone to make diagnoses because a variety of liver disorders might elevate your blood AST levels. Most frequently, an AST blood test is included in a blood test panel along with a liver enzyme test. The most common blood test panel that includes an AST blood test is a liver enzyme panel (HFP) or a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP). A blood panel can examine numerous blood characteristics with a single sample. It can give you more precise information about your general health.
Why do we need AST?
Cellular damage is what an AST blood test looks for. A blood test for AST can help diagnose liver problems. Because damaged liver cells can allow AST to escape into your blood. Your healthcare provider would typically perform the test to check the health of your liver. An AST test can also reveal information about other medical issues and cell damage in other parts of your body. For you, your doctor may request a blood panel test that includes an AST test to help screen for, monitor, or assist in the diagnosis of liver disorders and other illnesses.