Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Suitable Specimen Types

Li Hep Plasma

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Specimen Volume

1mL whole blood (minimum sample volume 250uL)

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

No special requirements

Sample Stability

7 days at 2-8°C

General Information

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is widely distributed, principally in liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and red blood cells. Increased concentrations are found in diseases involving these tissues. Specifically hepatobiliary diseases including cirrhosis, metastatic cancer and viral hepatitis increase serum AST levels. Following myocardial infarction, AST is elevated and reaches a peak 2 days after onset. AST levels may be decreased in patients undergoing dialysis or with vitamin B6 deficiency.

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation required.

Notes

Haemolysis interferes with measurement of AST activity.

Reference Range

Adult male/female reference range: 11-34 U/L (Abbott Alinity)

Source of Reference Range

In-house validation

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    NEQAS for Clinical Chemistry Scheme

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/ast/

Related Tests

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Albumin Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Bilirubin (Total) Creatine Kinase (CK) Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Total Protein (serum)

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Tuesday, 19 March 2024

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962