AST is an enzyme blood test that helps check liver and muscle health.
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Clinicians order AST to look for liver stress or injury and to monitor known liver conditions. It can also rise with muscle injury or after certain medicines or supplements. Results guide next steps, like repeating the test, reviewing medications, or adding a full liver panel. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.
Clinicians order AST to look for liver stress or injury and to monitor known liver conditions. It can also rise with muscle injury or after certain medicines or supplements. Results guide next steps, like repeating the test, reviewing medications, or adding a full liver panel. You can test this marker with Aniva across Germany and Finland.
High: May signal liver cell irritation or injury; can also rise after hard exercise, muscle injury, alcohol use, or some medicines and supplements.
Low: Usually not concerning; sometimes seen in pregnancy or with low vitamin B6, but rarely needs action alone. If elevated, avoid heavy workouts and alcohol, review medicines, and consider repeating with a full liver panel.
Common factors that can affect AST include recent strenuous exercise, muscle injury, intramuscular shots, alcohol within 24–48 hours, and some medicines (for example statins, acetaminophen, anti-seizure drugs, certain antibiotics and antifungals). Herbal products like kava or comfrey and high-dose niacin may raise levels. Acute illness, dehydration, and sample hemolysis (breaking red cells during the blood draw) can also shift results. Pregnancy can lower AST slightly. For the most stable reading, test when you’re well and at rest.
Special situations: If results are unexpected, confirm with a repeat test and a full liver panel (ALT, ALP, bilirubin, GGT), especially after hard exercise, alcohol use, or new medicines.
What does an AST result mean in plain terms? It shows how much of this enzyme is in your blood. Higher levels can reflect liver or muscle stress and guide next steps.
Do I need to fast for an AST test? No. Fasting is not required for AST. Testing at rest gives the most stable result.
What can temporarily raise AST? Hard workouts, muscle injury, alcohol, and some medicines or supplements can raise AST for a short time.
How often should I test AST? Your clinician may repeat it in weeks to confirm changes, or monitor it regularly if you take liver‑affecting medicines.
How long do results take? Most labs report AST within 1–2 business days.
What should I discuss with my clinician? Share your medicines, supplements, alcohol use, recent exercise, and any symptoms. Ask if more liver tests are needed.
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