"SGOT" stands for Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase, and it's an older term for a blood test now more commonly known as Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). This test measures the level of the AST enzyme in your blood, which is primarily found in the liver, but also in other organs like the heart, muscles, kidneys, and brain.
Here's a breakdown:
- Purpose: To assess liver health. Elevated AST levels can indicate liver damage or disease.
- Function: AST is an enzyme that helps with the metabolism of amino acids. When cells containing AST are damaged, they release the enzyme into the bloodstream.
- Interpretation: While elevated AST can point to liver problems (hepatitis, cirrhosis), it can also be elevated due to damage in other organs, like after a heart attack or intense exercise. Therefore, doctors often look at AST levels alongside other liver enzymes, such as ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), to get a more complete picture.
In summary, SGOT and AST are different names for the same blood test used primarily to evaluate liver health by measuring the amount of aspartate aminotransferase enzyme in the blood.
