Common conditions diagnosed with the help of SGOT test

SGOT levels play a critical role in assessing liver health and function. But, elevated SGOT levels can be indicative of various medical conditions ranging from liver diseases to muscle injuries. This blog is intended to shed light on the importance of SGOT testing and interpretation.

What is SGOT?

SGOT (Serum glutamic – oxaloacetic transaminase), also known as AST, is an enzyme found mainly in liver. Besides liver, it is found in kidney, muscle, heart, brain and RBC. When these cells are damaged or inflamed, this enzyme can leak into the bloodstream causing elevated levels in blood test. So, this can be used as marker of liver function or damage to any of these organs.

Who should do SGOT test?

SGOT test may be done in case of following symptoms:

• liver related problems-fatigue, tiredness ,nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, easy bruising, jaundice , swelling in leg or abdomen, dark urine, pale stools
• heart related problems- shortness of breath, chest pain
• family history of liver disease
• loss of weight or appetite
• risk factors-obesity, diabetes

Why SGOT test matters?

• Evaluate liver health
• early detection of other health issues
• monitor ongoing treatment
• making informed health choices- lifestyle, diet

How to perform test?

It is a routine blood test. Sample is obtained from the vein and analysed at lab. No special preparation like fasting is required.

Normal levels:

• 5-40 U/L
• >1000- alarming.

Causes of elevated SGOT levels

Since SGOT is a quintessential enzyme produced in liver, altered levels indicate signs of liver damage.

• Liver diseases
• Hepatitis-viral /autoimmune
• Alcoholic liver disease
• NAFLD-Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• liver cancer
• hemochromatosis

Does high SGOT always indicate liver damage?

High SGOT often means liver damage, but it can also be due to:

Heart diseases

• Myocardial infarction
• Congestive cardiac failure

Muscle injury

• skeletal muscle trauma
• strenuous exercise
• rhabdomyolysis

Other causes

• medications and toxins
• biliary tract diseases – obstruction or inflammation
• pancreatitis
• hemolysis
• severe burns
• acute renal disease

High SGOT levels with normal SGPT (another enzyme found predominantly in liver) means this is coming from different part of the body.

Generally the increased levels can be classified as:

• mild increase - intense workout, medications, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• moderate increase- hepatitis, liver damage from alcohol, side effects from medications
• severe increase – cirrhosis, acute liver failure

Other associated tests

• Liver function test – SGPT ,bilirubin, albumin levels
• Complete Blood Count
• Renal Function Test
• Viral markers for hepatitis
• ECG, Echocardiography, cardiac enzymes
• Coagulation tests
• Imaging -Ultrasound Scan

Conclusion

Understanding SGOT levels and its significance is essential for preventing potential health complications. It is crucial for assessing liver health early detection and management of liver diseases, along with other diseases.