What does it mean if your AST level is low?
What does it mean if your AST level is low?
Low levels of AST are normally found in the blood. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or liver is diseased or damaged, additional AST is released into the bloodstream. The amount of AST in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage.
Can AST levels be too low?
Low AST levels are expected and normal – they are just uncommon in the general population.
Is low AST good or bad?
AST is found in the highest concentrations in your liver, muscles, heart, kidney, brain and red blood cells. A small amount of AST is typically in your bloodstream. Higher-than-normal amounts of this enzyme in your blood may be a sign of a health problem. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver injury.
What causes low AST ALT?
Low levels are generally considered good and are usually not a cause for concern. However, in some cases a low ALT can be a result of an underlying medical condition, such as vitamin B6 deficiency or chronic kidney disease. Factors that deplete B6, including smoking and alcoholism, can also decrease ALT levels.
When should I be concerned about AST levels?
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 do AST levels indicate?
AST is an enzyme that helps metabolize amino acids. Like ALT, AST is normally present in blood at low levels. An increase in AST levels may indicate liver damage, disease or muscle damage.
When should I worry about AST and ALT?
An AST/ALT ratio higher than one (where the AST is higher than ALT) is suggestive of cirrhosis. An AST/ALT ratio higher than 2:1 (where the AST is more than twice as high as the ALT) is suggestive of alcoholic liver disease.
Can high AST levels be reversed?
People can lower their ALT levels by making lifestyle changes, such as taking regular exercise and changing their diet. Increasing fiber intake, reducing saturated fats and processed foods, as well as consuming a range of nutrients from fruits and vegetables may all help to lower levels.
What AST level is too high?
Typically the range for normal AST is reported between 10 to 40 units per liter and ALT between 7 to 56 units per liter. Mild elevations are generally considered to be 2-3 times higher than the normal range. In some conditions, these enzymes can be severely elevated, in the 1000s range.
Is ALT level of 52 high?
A normal ALT test result can range from 7 to 55 units per liter (U/L). Levels are normally higher in men. Slightly high ALT levels may be caused by: Alcohol abuse.
How do you treat high AST and ALT levels?
Natural ways to lower ALT levels
- Drinking coffee. Drinking coffee can help to lower ALT levels.
- Exercising regularly.
- Losing excess weight.
- Increasing folic acid intake.
- Making dietary changes.
- Reducing high cholesterol.
- Taking care with medications or supplements.
- Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins.
Can you lower your AST and ALT levels?
What could be causing elevated levels of AST and ALT levels?
The most common diseases causing abnormally elevated ALT and AST are acute viral hepatitis, such as hemochromatosis (a genetic condition causing long standing liver damage due to iron build up in the liver), and diminished blood flow to the liver (from shock or heart failure).
What medications cause elevated AST?
Other conditions like heart attack, heart failure, kidney, and lung damage may also cause the AST levels to rise. Use of medications such as antibiotics, statins, narcotics, aspirin, chemotherapy, and harbutures may also cause the levels of AST to increase passed normal ranges.
What increases AST levels?
Abnormal levels can be associated with liver injury. AST levels increase when there’s damage to the tissues and cells where the enzyme is found. AST levels can rise as soon as six hours after damage to tissue occurs.
What are dangerous Alt and AST levels?
There is no danger level for SGOT. However, more than 200 is a cause of concern. The extent of liver damage is directly proportional to the SGOT level. However, it is common to have values more than 2000-3000 in viral infection of liver, with complete recovery.