Why Would Aspartate Aminotransferase Be High?

When your liver is damaged, it puts more AST into your blood, and your levels rise. A high AST level is a sign of liver damage, but it can also mean you have damage to another organ that makes it, like your heart or kidneys. That's why doctors often do the AST test together with tests of other liver enzymes.

What does it mean if my aspartate aminotransferase is high?

High levels of AST in the blood may indicate hepatitis, cirrhosis, mononucleosis, or other liver diseases. High AST levels can also indicate heart problems or pancreatitis. If your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition needing treatment.

What causes elevated AST enzymes?

Medical conditions such as hepatitis (swelling of the liver), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the metabolic syndrome, and alcoholic liver disease are the more common causes. Certain medicines can also cause elevated liver enzymes.