What does AST (SGOT) mean on a report?
Last content review 2026-09-23
The short answer
AST — also printed as SGOT — is an enzyme present in the liver but also in muscle, heart and red blood cells. A raised AST can therefore come from outside the liver, which is why it is interpreted together with ALT and the clinical context.
What is happening?
Because AST is less liver-specific, strenuous exercise, muscle injury or haemolysis can raise it.
Clinicians often look at the AST:ALT ratio as one of several clues, and use it within validated scores such as FIB-4 rather than in isolation.
Why does this matter?
Interpreting AST alone can cause unnecessary worry — or false reassurance.
It contributes to fibrosis risk calculations, which is one of its more useful roles in metabolic liver disease.
What does the evidence say?
Use of AST within non-invasive fibrosis scores such as FIB-4 is described in AASLD and EASL guidance.
Key takeaway
AST is not a liver-only enzyme — it is most useful when read alongside ALT and your full clinical picture.
Sources & references
American College of Gastroenterology
ACG Clinical Guideline: Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Chemistries (2017) · Clinical guideline
View original sourceUS National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus)
AST Test · Official health information
View original sourceAmerican Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
AASLD Practice Guidance on the clinical assessment and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (2023) · Clinical guideline
View original source
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