SGOT test, AST test, or Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase test is a serious blood test that is used for liver function tests, and the test is also used to identify damage in the liver, heart, or muscle. Part of most Liver function test SGOT, the test identifies specific medical conditions by determining the concentration of AST enzyme in your blood. Increased or decreased levels pinpoint all types of medical illness ranging from muscle damage to liver disease. Understanding the SGOT test, when, how, and how to analyze test results, diagnoses and treats illness effectively.

What is an SGOT Test?

AST test (Aspartate Aminotransferase) or SGOT test is a blood test for assessing the amount of SGOT enzyme in the blood. SGOT is normally found in liver, heart, muscles, kidneys, brain, and red blood cells. When a part of these organs is damaged, SGOT spills over into the blood and raises the amounts.

Medically, SGOT is referred to as Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase. It is usually done as a component of the complete liver function test (LFT) to determine the liver's health, particularly in subjects with abdominal pain, jaundice, or weakness. The test is easy, fast, and typically requested along with SGPT (ALT) to obtain additional information about liver disease processes.

Why is the SGOT Test Done?

SGOT blood test will most commonly be taken in order to evaluate manifestations or manifestations of liver illness or track chronic liver illness. Even though since SGOT is not specific to the liver, the test will also detect other diseases besides the liver.
SGOT test purpose for your doctor is if you have any of these following symptoms:

  • Jaundice, yellowing of eyes and skin
  • Weakness or abnormal fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal discomfort or distension
  • Dark or light-colored urine or stools
Aside from liver disease, a raised SGOT also points to:

  • Past myocardial infarction
  • Inflammation of muscles or damage
  • Severe pancreatitis
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Alcoholic liver disease
It is also used regularly to determine injury to the liver in drug-dependent patients that have been discovered to affect the liver, for example, some antibiotics, anti-seizure medication, or statins.

Preparation for an SGOT Test

SGOT is an easy test and one requiring minimum preparation, and as such, the test is easily available to patients. There are some universal precautions in place which could offer more precise results.

In SGOT test preparation, first, tell your physician of any prescription medications or medications that you purchase over the counter since there are certain medications that alter your level of SGOT. You might not need to skip meals in most patients before taking the test unless your physician tells you otherwise.

Avoid exhaustive exercise, alcohol or drug consumption such as vitamin A or niacin 24 hours prior to testing because they will cause temporary increases in SGOT. Avoid long sleeves because this will be an easily accessible place to draw blood from.

SGOT Test Procedure

The SGOT test procedure is performed by a routine blood test, which is drawn from a vein in your arm. It does not hurt and only takes a few minutes, fewer than ten minutes.
This is what they will do:

  • A lab technician will disinfect the area of the skin with antiseptic.
  • A tourniquet is placed on above your upper arm to help make the vein more visible.
  • Very thin needle is pushed into the vein to draw the sample of blood.
  • Sample is put in a tube and taken to the laboratory for testing.
  • Needle is pulled off while taking the sample and cotton swab pressed in order to avoid any bleeding.
  • Test is not nice for all and you may lead normal life once you get tested.

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What to Expect After the SGOT Test?

After the blood test for SGOT, you are normally all right and can resume your life as normal. No dietary restriction and exercise after the test. Bruising, tenderness, or swelling of the injection site could be present. All these side effects are transient and would get normalized within a couple of days.

Not many individuals get lightheaded and disoriented after a blood test, but should it occur in the unlikely event that it does, an issue of minutes or so in bed will correct the situation. If your SGOT test comes out abnormal, your doctor will probably call in further tests to determine why and treatment after he gets your condition.

Interpretation of SGOT Test Results

What your SGOT test interpretation means is both clinically and numerically. A healthy SGOT level is usually 5 to 40 units per liter (U/L) but varies slightly from lab to lab.
Your Causes of elevated SGOT might be:

  • Liver disease like hepatitis or cirrhosis, acute or chronic
  • Heart conditions like myocardial infarction (heart attack)
  • Muscle inflammation or injury
  • Drug side effect
  • Alcoholism or fatty liver
On the other hand, SGOT low levels is usually innocuous but a product of vitamin B6 deficiency or end-stage renal failure.

Conditions Diagnosed with SGOT Test

SGOT test is employed in the diagnosis of heart, liver, and muscle disease. It is rarely employed as a single test but can be employed where it is preceded by another test.
Certain common disorders that are diagnosed after employing the SGOT test are:

  • Hepatitis A, B, and C
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • Liver cirrhosis or scarring
  • Heart attack or myocardial infarction
  • Muscle disorders like muscular dystrophy or rhabdomyolysis
  • Acute pancreatitis or gallbladder inflammation
  • Hemolysis or red blood cell breakdown
Since SGOT is found in all organs, any unusual result always needs medical follow-up to identify which offending organ to search for.

SGOT Test vs SGPT Test

Even though both SGOT vs SGPT are utilized for screening liver function, they differ from one another in terms of specificity and location. SGPT or ALT is specific to the liver but SGOT (AST) is found in the heart, kidneys, and muscles.
Both of the tests are also suggested by doctors simultaneously for testing. If SGPT is greater compared to the level of SGOT then, in most cases, indicates liver damage. If SGOT is greater, then this may be due to faulty heart or muscles. A clear picture about your health comes along with both of these tests simultaneously and helps other diagnosis procedures as well.

Price of SGOT Test in Pakistan

The SGOT test cost in Pakistan would generally be extremely minimal and within their reach. It may be a bit more depending on the city, physician, and whether done independently or as a liver panel. Normally, the price of the SGOT test at any diagnostic lab is PKR 250 to PKR 1,200.

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