Application of New Technology in Medical Equipment
30/09/2023 
monamedia AST and ALT indexes are two important liver enzyme indexes. Determining these indicators will help diagnose liver diseases and many other problems in this organ. The article below will share with you the meaning of AST and ALT and when to perform a liver enzyme test.
1.1. AST index
AST (also known as SGOT) is an enzyme produced in the liver. If the liver is damaged or necrotic in a certain location, AST will be released massively into the blood. The AST index in normal people will range from 20 – 40 UI/L.
In addition to the liver, AST also appears in other organs such as the heart, kidneys, muscles and brain in the body. Similar to the release mechanism in the liver, when these organs are damaged, AST will also leak into the blood. For example, if a person has a muscle injury or a heart attack, the AST index in the blood will increase. Therefore, AST is not a representative assessment criterion for liver damage.
1.2. ALT index
The ALT index is a specific index that more clearly reflects liver problems. Because ALT is produced only in the liver, it is present in very small amounts in skeletal muscle and heart cells. Therefore, it can be said that the liver is the organ where ALT is most concentrated and will also be released into the blood if liver damage occurs. The normal range of ALT is from 7 – 56 UI/L. In general, when tested, AST and ALT indexes at normal levels will be almost equivalent.
1.3. Steps and notes when doing liver enzyme tests
Procedure for taking samples for testing:
The patient’s blood sample will be collected in a test tube. These are EDTA and Heparin antifreeze tubes;
For AST and ALT index tests, patients do not need to fast before blood collection. However, if other tests need to be performed such as testing blood fat, blood sugar, kidney function, etc., it is best for the patient to fast for at least 8 hours before taking blood;
After taking blood, the patient should rest in place, do not run, jump, carry heavy objects or work immediately;
About 3-4 days before testing, patients need to stop taking medication and not drink alcohol to ensure the most accurate test results.
