SGOT (AST) is an enzyme found in all tissues with high metabolic activity, but primarily:
Heart
Liver
Skeletal Muscle
Kidney
Brain
Pancreas
Spleen
Lung
Elevations found in:
Any traumatic injury to any of these structures.
Any disease affecting one of these structures.
Acute myocardial infarction (4-10X normal)
Liver disease (10-100X normal)
Once elevated, the SGOT remains elevated for several days, if the injury is acute.
If there is on-going injury, the SGOT will remain elevated indefinitely.
Decreased amounts found in:
Uncontrolled diabetes with acidosis
Beriberi
Normal Values*
Men
8-20 IU/L
Women
6-18 IU/L
Children
25-75 IU/L
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300
