Elevated AST in the blood: causes and treatment

Today each of us can go to the lab and give blood to see if there was any serious deviations in the health, if any, time to undertake the treatment. If, after receiving the results of the analysis revealed that all indicators are more or less normal, but elevated AST in the blood, then immediately the questions arise: how dangerous is it, what do the three capital letters of the mystery, and many other associated issues. Our article will help to answer them.

What is AST

Aspartate aminotransferase, or AST for short, is the name of the enzyme included in the composition of all the cellular structures of our body. But the greater number of aspartate aminotransferase is located in the myocardium and skeletal muscles, and in liver cells in nervous tissue, in the kidneys. If the body is normal, and indicators of activity of AST in the blood is low.

But the damage to various organs or systems of the body, the enzyme starts to be released and enter the bloodstream. Therefore, when the biochemical analysis it becomes clear that the elevated AST in the blood - this gives rise to the physician to suspect the beginning of destructive processes in the cells. The enzyme aspartate aminotransferase is required for proper operation of the cells. It performs a transport function, carrying out transport of groups of atoms for different amino acids.

Normal levels of AST

Normal levels when the optical method of determining (IU) are as follows:

• Women - up to 35 IU;
• Men - up to 41 IU;
• In children, up to 50 IU.

The Reaction in new York-Frenkel (mkmol/h/ml):

• Women - 0.35;
• For men to 0.45;
• In children, up to 0.5.

If the blood chemistry showed AST, not exceeding the values shown - this indicates that the enzyme system of the heart, liver, kidneys function normally and cellular composition of the organs are not damaged. If the deviations in the analysis and discovery that elevated AST in the blood needs to be tested and other specific markers (troponin, CPK, ALT, etc.).

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I Must say that different labs can use different reagents and methods of the study. Therefore, the results obtained in different places may vary slightly from each other.

Elevated AST in the blood: causes

If the enzyme level in the blood is elevated, this may indicate the presence of any disease from the following list:

• Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes are too high-level AST, and the larger area of myocardial damage, the higher the concentration of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in the blood;
• Open or closed injury of the heart;
• Rheumatic heart disease;
• Angina;
• Autoimmune or infectious myocarditis;
• Cancer of the bile ducts;
• Liver cancer;
• Liver metastases;
• Cholestasis;
• Alcoholic steatosis;
• Fatty hepatosis;
• Viral hepatitis;
• Liver toxic;
• Heart failure;
• Extensive destruction of muscle tissue (compartment syndrome, myositis generalized, myodystrophy);
• Pancreatitis acute.

Also if elevated AST in the blood, it may be observed in the injury of skeletal muscle, with strong alcoholic intoxication, burns, heat stroke, emboli in the vessels and in cases of poisoning with poisonous mushrooms.

A Slight elevation of AST level happens when a strong physical exertion and during the use of certain pharmacological agents (sedatives, antibiotics, etc.).

What can you learn in determining the level of aspartate aminotransferase in the blood

In the case of AST in the blood increased slightly (about 5 times), it is possible that this is due to the FH, taking certain medicines (barbiturates, statins, antibiotics, narcotics, chemotherapy drugs, etc.).

A Moderate average increase of the enzyme (up to ten times higher than normal) can be caused by chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, myocardial infarction, miocardiodistrofia, processes damage cells in the kidneys and lungs, mononucleosis, cancer.

If you strongly elevated AST in the blood (10 times more) - this tells the doctor that the patient may be hepatitis virus in the acute stage, toxic damage of liver structures, drug-induced hepatitis (acute), and this may indicate the flow of the body processes, accompanied by necrosis of tissues (e.g., tumors).

At the beginning of the disease, in its acute stage, when the process of tissue destruction is the fastest, there is the highest level of aspartate aminotransferase. The reduction of AST in the blood serum means the beginning of regenerative processes in the cells of the organs and the recovery of the patient. Minor exceedances of the standards are not a sign of destruction in the tissues.

What can distort the results of the analysis

Sometimes the doctor, seeing that AST in the blood increased, but not finding the patient has no visible signs of illness, encourages him to donate blood again, and this additional analysis shows normal levels of the enzyme. A detailed questioning revealed that the patient before first blood was taking medication that affected the correctness of the indicators. To avoid such situations, it is necessaryknow what may distort the result:

1. Taking some farmcrest. It is important to put health care provider know about all the medicines you are taking. The doctor may prohibit taking certain medicines for several days before giving blood.
2. The Use of herbal remedies: Echinacea or Valerian.
3. Intake of large doses of vitamin A.
4. Pregnancy.
5. A Severe Allergy.
6. Catheterization or recent heart operation.

If AST in the blood increased, the reasons can be different, sometimes even unexpected. So you do not worry unnecessarily because of incorrect results, not recommended for hours to donate blood for the study after completing the following procedures:

• Fluoroscopy;
• Rectal examination
• Ultrasound;
• Physical therapy;
• Radiography.

How is the study on the blood levels of AST

The blood, increased levels of the enzyme or not, is done in the following sequence: to the determination of aspartate aminotransferase in the blood biochemical research. The fence material is made from veins only in the morning and only on an empty stomach.

First, a nurse on the arm above the elbow puts a tourniquet, and then is injected into a vein and the needle is taken approximately 15-20 ml of blood. The wiring is then removed and the injection site apply a cotton swab. The patient is instructed to bend the arm at the elbow and firmly pinch the injection site to stop the bleeding. You can sit for a few minutes and then go home.

And in the withdrawn blood with a centrifuge separates the plasma, produced the necessary chemical. reaction and determined the activity of AST. Results are usually ready the next day. A separate transcript is issued for the outcome is better not to do, must be done by a doctor.

Increased aspartate aminotransferase: what need treatment?

It is Important to understand that if the analysis was made and it was confirmed that highly elevated AST in the blood, it could not happen just by itself. This is due to the presence of any pathology in the body, with destruction of the structures of the liver, cardiac muscle or other tissues. This means that to lower the AST without treatment of the disease that caused the jump in the concentration of the enzyme, it is impossible.

Therefore, the main task of the physician will find that in case of AST in the blood increased, the reasons for this. That is at the forefront conducting early diagnosis and then treatment assignment. After the elimination of the disease will decrease and the level of aspartate aminotransferase.

How to prepare for the delivery of analysis for the AST

To test results were more reliable to donate blood on an empty stomach is required. And should pass after the last meal at least 8 hours. It is very important for the day before going to the lab to give up alcohol, fatty and fried, and avoid both physical and emotional or mental overload. The analysis is possible to drink only clean water, but in any case not to drink coffee, juices or teas - this can adversely affect the blood.

AST is elevated or not, find out not earlier than seven days after referral for analysis, in order to have time to prepare. For one, better two weeks before the research assistants are strongly recommended to abstain from taking drugs. In that case, if to comply with this requirement is not possible, be sure to notify your doctor to it when decrypting the data analysis made the necessary adjustments or appointed procedure the next day. If you have allergies or pregnancy, it is also necessary to inform the doctor.

Indications for analysis

The Described analysis is assigned under certain conditions:

• Acute or chronic heart disease.
• All diseases of the liver.
• Diseases of the circulatory system.
• Infection.
• Renal failure.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Encephalopathy of unclear etiology.
• Disorders of bilirubin metabolism, and jaundice.
• Pathology septic.
• Chronic Pancreatitis.
• Cholelithiasis and violation of the outflow of bile.
• Cancer.
• Endocrine diseases.
• Skin diseases caused by allergies.
• Preparing for a serious surgery.
• Injuries to the thorax or abdomen.

In addition, it is prescribed for the assessment of changes in the treatment of cardiac and hepatic pathologies, and during reception of antibiotics (long-term), different toxic substances, and chemotherapeutic agents.

About the indicator ALT

What is an elevated AST in the blood, the causes of this phenomenon we found out. Now let's talk about equally important indicator. Usually, assigning biochemical analysis of blood, the doctor wants to see not only the AST but also the contents of another enzyme - ALT.

This is a alanine aminotransferase, which, like AST, is present in the cells of all organs, but most of its amount in the liver and kidneys. When liver problems occur, ALT enters the bloodstream. Increase to diagnose severe liver disease even before the appearance of jaundice is a characteristic symptom of various hepatitis. Why highthe contents of ALT in the blood doctors is interpreted as indicating damage to the named authority.

If the person is passed on biochemical analysis of blood AST and ALT are elevated, it may indicate that in the body there are serious destructive processes. Recall that both enzymes are released into the bloodstream in increased amounts, only if there is a disruption of cellular structures. This does not necessarily indicate the presence of the disease. Correct conclusions can only be done by a doctor, after additional diagnostic procedures. No need to panic, but to delay the visit to the doctor is not worth it.

Final word

Elevated ALT and AST in the blood is not a sentence, even if these figures far exceed the norm. Important is timely diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of an experienced specialist. We wish everyone a good analyses and good health!