Mediki
AST blood test: what your result means
AST is an enzyme found in liver, muscle, and other tissues. It can rise when these tissues are stressed or damaged.
- Category
- Liver function
- Standard unit
- U/L
- Also called
- SGOT
- Reported in
- U/L, IU/L, µkat/L, nkat/L
What does high AST mean?
Higher values may suggest liver or muscle tissue stress. What counts as high depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
What does low AST mean?
Lower values are usually not clinically significant on their own. What counts as low depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
AST units and conversion
Mediki shows AST in U/L. Labs may report it in other units; Mediki converts them automatically so results from different labs line up on one chart.
IU/L is numerically the same as U/L, so no conversion is needed.
| Unit on your report | Convert to U/L | Convert back |
|---|---|---|
| µkat/L | 1 µkat/L = 60 U/L | 1 U/L = 0.01667 µkat/L |
| nkat/L | 1 nkat/L = 0.06 U/L | 1 U/L = 16.67 nkat/L |
Convert a value from your report with the blood test unit converter.
Why track AST over time?
A single AST result is a snapshot. Comparing it with your earlier tests shows whether a value is stable, slowly drifting, or responding to a change in treatment or lifestyle, which is often more useful than one number on its own.
Read our guide on how to read blood test results to understand reference ranges, flags and units.
Following AST as part of a panel? See the liver function test tracker.
Track your AST results in one chart
Upload your lab reports and Mediki plots every AST result against its reference range. Your first 15 pages are free.
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Sources
Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, and only a doctor can interpret your results in the context of your health.