The aspartate aminotransfera or oxalacetic transaminase (TGO) test is a blood test that is requested to look for lesions that compromise normal liver function, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, for example.
Oxalacetic transaminase or aspartate aminotransfers is an enzyme found in the liver and usually rises when liver damage is more chronic because it is found more within the liver cell. However, this enzyme may also be present in the heart and can be used as a heart marker, which may indicate a heart attack or ischemia.
- As a liver marker.
- AST is usually measured with ALT.
- As it may be elevated in other situations.
- Being nonspecific for this purpose.
- The enzyme reference value is between 5 and 40 U/L of blood.
- Which may vary by laboratory.
Although the AST/TGO test is not very specific, your doctor may order this test along with others that indicate liver health, such as gamma-glutamiltransfer (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALK) and, mainly, ALT/TGP. Learn more about the ALT exam.
Increased AST or high TGO may indicate
Values above 150 U/L usually indicate liver damage and above 1000 U/L may indicate hepatitis caused by the use of medications, such as acetaminophen, or ischemic hepatitis, for example. On the other hand, a decrease in TSA values may indicate vitamin B6 deficiency in people who need dialysis.
The Ritis index is used in medical practice to assess the extent of liver damage and thus establish the best treatment for the situation. This report takes into account the values of AST and ALT and when it is greater than 1 indicates more serious lesions, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, for example. When less than 1, it may be indicative of the acute phase of viral hepatitis, for example.
The TGO/AST blood test may be prescribed by your doctor when needed to assess liver health, after finding that the person is overweight, fat in the liver or has signs or symptoms such as yellowing of the skin, pain in the right abdomen. or in the case of light stools and dark urine.
Other situations in which it may also be helpful to evaluate this enzyme are after the use of drugs that can damage the liver and evaluate the liver of people who consume many alcoholic beverages.