Liver Function – AST • Code 84450

  • Test Type
  • Specimen Information
Test Description

There are various tests that make up the Liver Function Profile which measure proteins, enzymes and bilirubin in your blood. This group of tests are performed together to check for, evaluate, and/or monitor liver dysfunction or disease. The tests that measure your overall liver function are the albumin and bilirubin. They measure how well your liver creates proteins and disposes of waste product in the blood.

When should this test be ordered?
This test may be ordered to determine liver dysfunction for those that are on medication that could potentially cause liver damage, when alcoholism is known, those with hepatitis, family history of liver disease, and for those that are overweight or have diabetes, or other known signs and symptoms as determined by your healthcare practitioner. It may also be ordered as part of a general health screening.
High Risk · Outside Reference Range
Male::
(0-6569) days : >= 37 (U/L)
(>= 6570) days : >= 41 (U/L)

Female::
(0-6569) days : >= 31 (U/L)
(>= 6570) days : >= 33 (U/L)

May indicate that there is a problem with the liver. The panel of tests will often be evaluated together. Abnormal results may also indicate temporary injury or an indicator that something else is happening within the body, in otherwise healthy patients with no known liver damage.
Borderline Risk · none
Not applicable for this test
Low Risk · Within Reference Range
Reference Range:

Male::
(0-6569) days : 0-36 (U/L)
(>= 6570) days : 0-40 (U/L)

Female::
(0-6569) days :0-30 (U/L)
(>= 6570) days : 0-32 (U/L)

If all of your results are normal, there may be no suspected liver damage at this time.
Testing Method Used
Enzymatic-colormetric

Sample is stable for 7 days at 2-8°C
Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
Please discuss with your healthcare practitioner.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be ordered with tests that require fasting.
Drawing and Processing

tube1

  1. Draw from a vein into and SST tube
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly hemolyzed or lipemic; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen
References
  1. Roche package insert
  2. Healthline
  3. American Association for Clinical Chemistry