What is AST?
a liver and muscle enzyme
AST is found in liver, heart, and muscle. It often tracks ALT but is less specific to the liver.
The AST/ALT ratio gives clues about the cause of liver injury. A ratio above 2 is often seen in alcohol-related liver disease.
Test facts
- Unit
- µkat/L
- Sample
- Serum
- Fasting
- No fasting needed
- Turnaround
- 1 day
What does low AST mean?
Low AST is not clinically significant.
What does high AST mean?
High AST can come from liver, muscle, or heart and needs to be read alongside ALT and clinical context.
Panels that measure AST
- Deep Baseline
- Liver Check
More markers in the same area
Launching in Stockholm in 2026.
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This is general information about the marker, not an assessment of your values and not medical advice. Last updated: May 2026.