Aspartate Aminotransferase Plasma

Orderable: 

• AST

Turnaround Time: 

• Routine: 4 hours 
• STAT: 1 hour 

Alternate Name(s): 

• AST

Requisition 

• General Laboratory Requisition

Specimen:

Adult:

• 4.5 mL Green (Lithium Heparin) top Vacutainer

Paediatric: 

• 0-2 years: 0.5 mL Green top Microtainer 
• 2-10 years: 2 mL Green top tube

Serum from a 5 mL Gold top or 6 mL Red top Vacutainer tube is also acceptable.

Collection Information:

• The minimum volume required for pediatric samples is 0.2 mL

Laboratory:

• Core Lab

Method of Analysis:

• Enzymatic rate

Test Schedule:

• As Required

Reference Ranges:

Interpretive Comments:

• Very sensitive but non-specific indicator of hepatocellular damage. Also elevated in cardiac and skeletal muscle damage and erythrocyte disorders. Hemolysis will falsely increase plasma results.

Comments:

• Hemolysis will falsely increase plasma results.