Simplifying Science™
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Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other organs. It is used as a marker for liver damage and is often used to diagnose liver diseases. AST is typically acquired from a patient's serum, which is the liquid portion of the blood that remains after the cells and clotting factors have been removed. The serum is usually obtained by drawing a sample of blood from the patient's arm and then separating the serum from the other components of the blood. The serum is then tested for AST levels. AST levels can be measured using a variety of methods, including spectrophotometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoassay.
All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site:
