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Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) Test

Last updated: February 8, 2026 Medically reviewed by: RxHarun Orthopedic Specialist Doctor Reading time: 6 min read

Aspartate aminotransferase; Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT

The SGOT test is a blood test that’s part of a liver profile. It measures one of two liver enzymes, called serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. This enzyme is now usually called AST, which stands for aspartate aminotransferase. An SGOT test (or AST test) evaluates how much of the liver enzyme is in the blood.

How the Test is Performed

A blood sample is needed.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is needed.

How the Test will Feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

Why the Test is Performed

AST is an enzyme found in high levels in the liver, heart, and muscles. It is also found in lesser amounts in other tissues. An enzyme is a protein that causes a specific chemical change in the body.

This test is mainly done along with other tests (such as ALT , ALP , and bilirubin ) to diagnose and monitor liver disease .

Normal Results

The normal range is 10 to 34 U/L.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An increased AST level is usually a sign of liver disease. Liver disease is even more likely when the levels of substances checked by other liver blood tests have also increased.

An increased AST level may be due to any of the following:

  • Scarring of the liver ( cirrhosis )
  • Death of liver tissue
  • Heart attack
  • Too much iron in the body ( hemochromatosis )
  • Swollen and inflamed liver ( hepatitis )
  • Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia)
  • Liver cancer or tumor
  • Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver
  • Mononucleosis (“mono”)
  • Muscle disease or trauma
  • Swollen and inflamed pancreas ( pancreatitis )

AST level may also increase after:

  • Burns (deep)
  • Heart procedures
  • Seizure
  • Surgery

Pregnancy and exercise may also cause an increased AST level.

Risks

Veins vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

  • Bleeding from where the needle was inserted
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

FAQ

What does serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase do?

  • An enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of liver or heart damage, cancer, or other diseases.

What is serum transaminase level?

  • Normal serum transaminase values have been found to range from 5 to 40 units; with Laennec’s cirrhosis the levels were from 13 to 286 units, in biliary cirrhosis from 57 to 330 units, and with viral hepatitis from 540 to 1,890 units of activity.

What causes high SGOT levels?

  • High levels of AST in the bloodstream could be a sign of liver damage or cell damage in another organ such as the heart or kidneys. Doctors may also take additional tests to check other liver enzymes, such as ALT, to get more information on the health of the liver.

What happens if SGPT is high?

  • Thus, a very high level of SGPT in the blood can be an indication of damage or problems related to the liver. Certain diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis raise the blood serum SGPT levels, and so do specific medications including statins used to lower cholesterol.

What happens if SGPT and SGOT are high?

  • Elevated SGPT and SGOT levels are an indication of liver cell injury or damage and hence they should be detected through regular health check-ups. There are few lifestyle habits that can keep your liver and body in a healthier state.

Why is the SGPT test required?

  • This test is done to measure the amount of Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT) in blood serum. GPT is an enzyme found in heart cells, kidneys, muscles, and liver. An SGPT test is needed on a regular basis to keep the liver in a healthy state.

What happens when SGOT is high?

  • If the results of your SGOT test are high, that means one of the organs or muscles containing the enzyme could be damaged. These include your liver, but also the muscles, heart, brain, and kidneys.

What is the treatment for high SGOT and SGPT?

  • Keep a tab on everything you consume. Increase Vitamin D in your diet: Vitamin D helps in preventing damage to your liver and reducing SGPT levels. Oranges, soy milk, mushrooms, apples, eggs, fortified cereals, tofu, dairy products, cod liver oil, oysters, and green leafy vegetables are good sources of vitamin D.

How do you reduce alanine transaminase SGPT?

Natural methods include:
  • Drinking coffee. Drinking coffee can help to lower ALT levels. …
  • Exercising regularly.
  • Losing excess weight.
  • Increasing folic acid intake.
  • Making dietary changes.
  • Reducing high cholesterol.
  • Take care with medications or supplements.
  • Avoid alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins.

What food causes high SGPT?

Avoid when possible
  • Alcohol. Alcohol can be a major cause of fatty liver disease as well as other liver diseases.
  • Added sugar. Stay away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices.
  • Fried foods. These are high in fat and calories.
  • Added salt.
  • White bread, rice, and pasta.
  • Red meat.

The rise in SGPT level with reference to the normal value

  • Critical value = >9000 U/L seen in Alcohol-acetaminophen syndrome. This level can distinguish it from alcoholic or viral hepatitis.

What is SGPT in urine tests?

  •  An ALT test measures the level of alanine aminotransferase, also called ALT or SGPT. ALT is one of the enzymes that help the liver convert food into energy. High levels of these enzymes can be a sign that the liver is injured or irritated, and the enzymes are leaking out of the liver cells.

What is the difference between SGPT and SGOT?

  • Another name for aminotransferase is transaminase. The enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is also known as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

What does high SGOT mean in a blood test?

  • An AST test measures the level of aspartate aminotransferase, also called AST or SGOT. AST is one of the enzymes that help the liver convert food into energy. High levels of these enzymes can be a sign that the liver is injured or irritated, and the enzymes are leaking out of the liver cells.

What is the liver SGOT test?

  • AST, or aspartate aminotransferase, is one of the two liver enzymes. It is also known as serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, or SGOT. AST is a protein made by liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, AST leaks out into the bloodstream and the level of AST in the blood becomes elevated.

How do you improve liver function?

Ways to a Healthy Liver
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Avoid toxins.
  • Use alcohol responsibly.
  • Avoid the use of illicit drugs.
  • Avoid contaminated needles.
  • Get medical care if you’re exposed to blood.

When should I worry about alkaline phosphatase?

  • High levels, Higher-than-normal levels of ALP in your blood may indicate a health concern with your liver or gallbladder. This could include a blockage in your bile ducts, gallstones, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and some forms of hepatitis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area later with a custom field named _rx_references.

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Written by Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist

Dr. Md. Harun Ar Rashid, MPH, MD, PhD, is a highly respected medical specialist celebrated for his exceptional clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to patient care. With advanced qualifications including MPH, MD, and PhD, he integrates cutting-edge research with a compassionate approach to medicine, ensuring that every patient receives personalized and effective treatment. His extensive training and hands-on experience enable him to diagnose complex conditions accurately and develop innovative treatment strategies tailored to individual needs. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Harun Ar Rashid is dedicated to medical education and research, writing and inventory creative thinking, innovative idea, critical care managementing make in his community to outreach, often participating in initiatives that promote health awareness and advance medical knowledge. His career is a testament to the high standards represented by his credentials, and he continues to contribute significantly to his field, driving improvements in both patient outcomes and healthcare practices. Born and educated in Bangladesh, Dr. Rashid earned his BPT from the University of Dhaka before pursuing postgraduate training internationally. He completed his MD in Internal Medicine at King’s College London, where he developed a special interest in inflammatory arthritis and metabolic bone disease. He then undertook a PhD in Orthopedic Science at the University of Oxford, conducting pioneering research on cytokine signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Rashid returned to clinical work with a fellowship in interventional pain management at the Rx University School of Medicine, refining his skills in image-guided joint injections and minimally invasive pain-relief techniques.