What does elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) indicate?
Disease description:
I went to the hospital for a physical examination yesterday, and the doctor told me that my aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level is elevated. What does an elevated AST level indicate?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Fang
Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels most likely indicate hepatic injury in the patient. AST and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are generally proportional; thus, higher AST values typically reflect more severe liver disease. Common hepatic conditions associated with elevated AST include hepatic abscess, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis. Additionally, certain non-hepatic diseases may also cause elevated AST, such as myocardial infarction, acute bronchitis, and renal infarction.
