Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
| Order Code: | AST |
| Order Form: | Laboratory Requisition |
Specimen:
Plasma
Collection Medium:
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| Plasma Separator Tube |
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL light green top tube or 1 light green top microtainer for
pediatric patients
Testing
Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around
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
Sample
Processing:
Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Sample
Storage:
Refrigerate.
Transport
Instructions:
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.
CPT Code:
84450
See also:
Aspartate Aminotransferase-Other, Body Fluid (e.g., surgical drain, pericardial, peritoneal, peritoneal dialysis, pleural, or synovial)
Aspartate Aminotransferase-Other, Body Fluid (e.g., surgical drain, pericardial, peritoneal, peritoneal dialysis, pleural, or synovial)
