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HelpTest Code AST Aspartate Amino Transferase
Useful For
AST is used primarily in the diagnosis of liver and heart muscle disease. AST is also elevated in 97% of myocardial infarction patients.
Synonyms/Keywords
SGOT, AST, GOT, Aspartrate Transaminase
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Plasma/Serum | Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST), Serum Separator Tube (SST) | Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT), Red Top Tube (RTT) | 1 mL | 0.3 mL | 0.7 mL whole blood |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Samples collected in a RTT or GGT must be removed from cells within one hour for storage or transport.
Samples collected in gel barrier tubes must be removed from the primary tube prior to transporting to Marshfield.
Do not send the primary collection tube.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma/Serum | Ambient | 5 days |
| Refrigerate | 7 days | |
| Frozen | >7 days to 3 months |
Rejection Criteria
| Grossly hemolyzed samples |
|---|
| Samples collected with sodium citrate, potassium oxalate, or sodium fluoride preservatives |
Interferences
Hemolysis will falsely increase AST result.
Sulfasalazine may interfere with Dimension AST assays (Regional labs) and cause falsely depressed results. For patients receiving treatment, venipuncture should occur prior to drug administration to prevent this interference.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites using Dimension | 0 - 7 days: 20-96 IU/L 8 days - 3 years: 16-58 IU/L 4 years - 6 years: 10-47 IU/L Male: 7 - 15 years: 10-36 IU/L Male: ≥16 years: 15-46 IU/L Female: 7 - 19 years: 10-36 IU/L Female: ≥ 20 years: 14-41 IU/L |
| Marshfield |
Both: 0 - 14 days: ≤134 U/L 15 days <1yr: ≤57 U/L 1 - <7 yrs: ≤38 U/L 7 - <12 yrs: ≤32 U/L Female: 12 - <19 yrs: ≤24 U/L Male: 12 - <19 yrs: ≤32 U/L Adult: ≥ 19 yrs: 13 - 39 U/L |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Falls | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Park Falls | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Ladysmith | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Rice Lake | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Neillsville | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Stevens Point | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Wisconsin Rapids | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Biochromatic Rate Technique/Siemens Dimension |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84450 | 1 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84450 | 1 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | AST (COMMON) |