Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Why It Is Done
An aspartate aminotransferase (AST) test is done to:
- Check for liver damage.
- Help identify liver disease, especially Reference hepatitis Opens New Window and Reference cirrhosis Opens New Window. Liver disease may produce symptoms such as pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes Reference jaundice Opens New Window.
- Check on the success of treatment for liver disease.
- Find out whether jaundice was caused by a blood disorder or liver disease.
- Keep track of the effects of Reference cholesterol Opens New Window-lowering medicines and other medicines that can damage the liver.
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