An SGOT (Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase) test, now more commonly known as the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) test, is a routine blood investigation used to evaluate liver function and detect tissue damage in major organs. The enzyme AST plays a key role in amino acid metabolism and is found in the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, kidneys, and brain.

The SGOT test measures the concentration of the AST enzyme in the blood. A small blood sample is collected, and the SGOT test report reflects the amount of enzyme that has leaked from damaged cells into the bloodstream. Elevated levels suggest injury or stress to organs containing this enzyme, especially the liver.

In medical terms, the SGOT full form refers to Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase. The SGOT test principle relies on detecting the activity of this enzyme through a chemical reaction in the serum that produces measurable color changes in laboratory assays.

The SGOT test measures how active the SGOT enzyme is in your blood. In the laboratory, your blood sample reacts with specific reagents—special chemicals that help detect enzyme activity—based on the Reitman–Frankel colorimetric method, a widely used principle in clinical biochemistry.

During the process, the SGOT enzyme acts on two substances called aspartate and α-ketoglutarate, producing oxaloacetate and glutamate. The oxaloacetate then reacts with another chemical known as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), forming a colored compound called a hydrazone.

The intensity of the color, measured using a spectrophotometer, indicates how active the enzyme is. The stronger the color, the higher the SGOT activity in the blood sample, which helps doctors identify potential tissue or liver damage.

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and method. Many reputable sources list normal adult values roughly between 8 and 45 units per liter (U/L). Some laboratories report sex-specific ranges, such as about 10–40 U/L for men and 9–32 U/L for women. Slight fluctuations in SGOT test normal range in pregnancy may occur due to physiological changes.

When interpreting SGOT test results, physicians often pair them with other liver enzyme measurements like the SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) test. Together, SGOT and SGPT results provide a clearer understanding of liver health and help identify the type and extent of liver damage.

The blood test SGOT is commonly included in a liver function test (LFT) panel. Doctors recommend it to:

• Detect liver conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver, or cirrhosis

• Monitor treatment progress in liver disorders or assess the effect of medications

• Identify muscle injury, heart damage, or other organ involvement

Because AST is also found in the heart and muscles, an ALT-SGOT blood test can help detect heart attacks or muscle inflammation in addition to liver problems.

Elevated SGOT and SGPT levels may indicate damage to tissues that contain these enzymes.

Causes of elevated SGOT may indicate:

• Viral hepatitis or cirrhosis

• Alcohol-related liver injury

• Drug-induced liver toxicity

• Heart attack or severe muscle injury

However, what SGOT indicates cannot be determined by this test alone. Values above a laboratory’s upper limit—commonly around 40–50 U/L in adults—are considered abnormal and warrant further evaluation. Clinicians interpret enzyme elevations together with symptoms, medical history, and other liver tests before making a diagnosis. An isolated mild increase may not always signify disease.

When SGOT levels rise due to liver or tissue damage, a person may experience symptoms of high SGOT such as:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

• Abdominal pain or swelling

• Dark urine and pale stools

• Loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue

These symptoms, along with abnormal SGOT test results, prompt further clinical assessment and additional tests such as bilirubin, ALT, and imaging studies.

Both SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) are enzymes associated with liver function, but they differ slightly in their distribution. SGPT is more specific to the liver, while SGOT is also present in other tissues. SGOT and SGPT high means that cells in one or more of these organs are injured, leading to enzyme release into the blood.

Both SGOT (also called AST) and SGPT (also called ALT) are enzymes that help check liver health.

• SGPT is found mostly in the liver.

• SGOT is found in the liver but also in the heart, muscles, and kidneys.
  When these cells are damaged, the enzymes leak into the blood. High SGOT or SGPT levels mean some kind of cell injury may have occurred.

In India, the SGOT/AST test price varies depending on the diagnostic provider and location. Single-parameter tests at major laboratories often range between ₹150 and ₹500. For example, Metropolis Laboratories lists an SGOT (AST) test price of approximately ₹270 in Mumbai. The test is quick and non-invasive, and results are typically available within 24 hours.

SGOT levels can rise temporarily even in healthy individuals. Factors that may cause short-term increases include:

• Intense physical exercise or muscle strain

• Recent intramuscular injections or trauma

• Certain medications, such as antibiotics, statins, or pain relievers

• Alcohol intake shortly before testing

• High-fat meals or dehydration prior to sample collection

Doctors generally advise avoiding alcohol, strenuous activity, and unnecessary medications for 24–48 hours before testing to obtain accurate results. Persistent elevation after repeat testing may require further evaluation for liver or muscle injury.

_{Note: This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits.}