Edited by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

A liver enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism, like ALT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase). Elevated serum levels of AST are a sign of liver damage from disease, like hepatitis B or C,  or from drugs.

Extreme Elevation:

Acute stage of severe, sudden onset of  hepatitis

Severe liver necrosis

Skeletal muscle damage

Acute myocardial infarction (level determined by size of infarction and by time between onset to infarct and drawing of blood sample)

Minor Elevation:

Chronic hypokalemia (CPK levels elevated too)

Morphine and meperidine may cause temporary elevations

Warfarin or large doses of salicylate (occasionally)

Congestive heart failure

Tachyarrhythmias in the presence of shock

Pericarditis

Pulmonary infarction

Dissecting aneurysm

Cirrhosis

Cholangiolitic jaundice

Metastatic liver disease

Skeletal muscle disease

Post traumatic state

Generalized infections (such as infectious mononucleosis)    

See herb therapy to lower AST and ALT

See Chinese herb therapy for hepatitis B.

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