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Test Code AST AST

Additional Codes

 Test ID
AST

EPIC Test ID
LAB131

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube

Acceptable: Gold-top serum gel tube or plain, red-top tube, EDTA plasma

MinimumSpecimen Volume: 6.8 µL of plasma or serum plus a dead volume

Stability: Samples should be separated with 2 hrs of collection. Samples can be kept at 2 – 8°C and analyzed within 7 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -20 °C or colder for up to 3 months.

Note:  Venipuncture should occur prior to sulfasalazine and/or sulfapyridine administration due to the potential for falsely depressed results.

Reference Values

Males: ≤50 U/L

Females: ≤35 U/L 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Useful For

Elevated levels of the transaminases (AST) are helpful in diagnosing and  can signal myocardial infarction, hepatic disease, muscular dystrophy, and organ damage.

Methodology

Rate Reaction

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84450

Report Available

STAT within 1 hour of receipt. Routine within 2 hours of receipt.