The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Order Code: AST
Epic Lab Code: LAB131
Order Form: A-1a General Lab or Epic Req
  Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen:
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma separator tube
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.
Minimum:
2 ml light green top tube or 1 light green top microtube for pediatric 
patients
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Analytic Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Males;   0-37 u/l
Females; 0-31 u/l

Pediatric Ranges:
Age             Male/Female U/L
1-3 years            10-50
4-6 years            10-45
7-12 years           10-40
13-18 years          10-35
Comments:
Avoid hemolysis.
Test
Limitations:
Criterion: Recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value.

Hemolysis interferes due to AST activity from erythrocytes.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 60 
(approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 60 
mg/dl).

Lipemia (Intralipid): No significant interference up to an L index of 
500 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 1000 mg/dl). There is 
poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides concentration. 
Lipemia may cause absorbance flagging as a result of an absorbance 
increase.

Reference
Glick MR, Ryder KW, Jackson SA. Graphical Comparisons of Interferences 
in Clinical Chemistry Instrumentation. Clin Chem 1986;32:470-474.
Methodology:
Spectrophotometric
CPT Code:
84450

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Updated: 10/30/2009

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.