Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase), Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), SGOT (Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase)

How To Prepare

To prepare for an aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test:

• Avoid strenuous exercise just before having this test done.

Tell your doctor if you:

• Are taking any medicines. Many medicines can interfere with test results. Your health professional may instruct you to stop taking certain medicines for several days before having an AST test. Some herbs and natural products (such as echinacea and valerian) also can affect AST results.
• Are allergic to any medicines.
• Are or might be pregnant.

Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated January 26, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
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