AST (SGOT) blood test
An enzyme found in the liver and also in muscle, released into the blood when those cells are stressed.
- Typical range (adult men)
- below 40 U/L
- Panel
- Liver Function
- Also called
- Aspartate aminotransferase, SGOT
Reference ranges vary between labs; use the range on your own report. Results need to be read by a doctor alongside your symptoms and other tests.
Why it’s tested
Part of the liver panel. Hard training raises it too, so it is read with ALT and GGT.
What can raise it
- Hard training in the days before the test
- Liver strain, including from oral anabolic steroids
- Alcohol
- Fatty liver
What can lower it
- Usually not a concern
Getting an accurate result
- Test in the morning, especially for hormones, which run highest early in the day.
- Skip hard training for 48 hours before: muscle damage and creatine can push this up.
- Stay hydrated, and test at the same lab and time of day each time so results compare fairly.
Compounds that affect AST (SGOT)
Monitored with these, based on their known properties:
- Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)
- Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
- Anavar (Oxandrolone)
- Winstrol (Stanozolol)
- Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)
- Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)
- Superdrol (Methasterone)
- Testolone (RAD-140)
- S-23
- YK-11
- Methyltrienolone (Oral Tren / Metribolone)
- 1-Andro (1-Androstenediol)
Other liver function tests
Questions
What is a normal AST (SGOT) level?
A typical adult male reference range is below 40 U/L. Ranges differ for women, by age and between labs, so compare with the range printed on your report.
What does high AST (SGOT) mean?
Common reasons include hard training in the days before the test, liver strain, including from oral anabolic steroids, alcohol and fatty liver. One result outside the range isn't a diagnosis: a doctor will look at it with your other markers and history.
What does low AST (SGOT) mean?
Common reasons include usually not a concern.