SGOT Full Form in Medical: Meaning, Function, Normal Range & More

If you had a blood test recently and after viewing the report, you came upon the term SGOT and wondered, what does this refer to? Most people get out of control when they encounter strange abbreviations or numbers. So, in this article you will find detailed information on the full form of SGOT in medical, its significance, and what the results of your analysis indicate about your health.

Whether you are attempting to know results of your liver function test or simply wondering what doctors actually check during a general health check-up, this article will help you know what SGOT is, what it does in your body and how it is linked to your liver health.

What is the Full Form of SGOT in Medical Terms?

The full form of SGOT is a long name Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase. In modern medical terminology, it is more accurately termed AST which stands for Aspartate Aminotransferase.

Both SGOT and AST refer to the same enzyme and hence, both terms are used interchangeably in laboratory test reports. Despite the different names, they refer to the same biochemical marker that is critical in diagnosing a variety of health conditions.

Fast Fact: SGOT = AST. That is why you just have to check your report and make sure that instead of SGOT, it talks about AST, which is also the same!

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What is SGOT (AST)?

SGOT is an enzyme found in the liver; however, the enzyme is also present in the heart, kidneys, brain, muscles and red blood cells. The enzyme assists in conversion of amino acids and is vital in terms of energy that is produced in the cells.

When any of these organs is damaged, SGOT leaks into the bloodstream, an indication of its increase through a normal blood test.

What is the SGOT Test Used For?

The SGOT blood test is also an AST test which is usually included in a Liver Function Test (LFT) panel. It guides the physicians to determine the state of your liver and detect conditions affecting other vital organs.

• Common reasons for ordering an SGOT test:

• To test liver health (and also SGPT/ALT)

• To monitor liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver

• For diagnosis of heart diseases, including myocardial infarction (a heart attack)

• To identify muscle injuries or disorders

• As a part of regular health check-ups

SGOT Normal Range in Blood

Normal levels of SGOT (AST) depends a bit on which lab they are measured in but is usually between:

Normal SGOT: 5 to 40 units of a liter (U/L) of blood

Things To Note:

• The normal range is lower than 40 U/L and the higher values may be defined as elevated.

• Very high numbers of SGOT (more than 1000 U/L) may indicate an acute liver damage or a heart attack.

• You should never read the results of the tests in contact with other tests such as SGPT (ALT) and clinical symptoms.

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Causes of High SGOT Levels

High SGOT level indicates that the liver or any other organ cells are damaged. The greater the value, the more it indicates an underlying issue that requires medical attention.

Causes of increased SGOT:

1. Liver disorders

• Hepatitis A,B or C

• Alcohol liver disease

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

• Cirrhosis

2. Heart conditions

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

• Congestive heart failure

3. Muscle damage

• Harm or offence

• Intense exercise

• Muscle diseases like polymyositis

4. Other causes

• Hemolytic anemia

• Pancreatitis

• Application of some specific medicines (statins, antibiotics, NSAIDs)

• Excessive alcohol consumption

What Happens If SGOT is Very High?

When SGOT is very high, i.e. above 500 U/L or 1000 U/L, this is likely to indicate a serious liver damage or a heart attack. Such levels could be observed in conditions like:

• Acute viral hepatitis

• Liver failure

• Heart attack

It would also be very important to visit a doctor as soon as possible in case your levels are very high and in case you have other symptoms such as fatigue, yellowing of skin (jaundice), or chest pain.

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Cause of Low SGOT Levels

Interestingly, SGOT lower than normal levels are not a thing to panic about. They may simply be a result of:

• Deficiency of vitamin B6
• Severe liver disease (in which liver is not able to secrete enzymes due to too much damage)

Low SGOT values are typically not clinically significant on their own.

SGOT vs SGPT – What’s the Difference?

The other liver enzyme that most people are acquainted with is SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase) also referred to as ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) and is determined along with SGOT.

A combination of SGOT and SGPT is most useful when used together in order to find out the level and the cause of liver damage.

How is the SGOT Blood Test Done?

It is a straightforward blood test, in which a clinical practitioner will take a little droplet of blood out of your vein, usually from your arm.

Preparation for SGOT Test:

• Most of the time no special fasting is required.

• Make sure to inform your physician of all the medicines, supplements, or alcohol use.

How to Lower SGOT Levels Naturally?

When the results of the test show that you have higher levels of SGOT, a gradual raise, lifestyle changes may bring the levels down to their normal range.

Natural ways of lowering the level of SGOT:

1. Avoid alcohol: It is possible to cause the direct destruction of liver cells with alcohol.

2. Balanced diet: It includes all the food groups in a descriptor. A balanced diet consists of the following liver friendly foods: turmeric, greens, berries and garlic.

3. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity has been identified as contributing to fatty liver and high liver enzymes.

4. Exercise regularly: Moderate exercise is also good for the liver in general.

5. Stay hydrated: Drinking water aids in passing out toxins, as well as the healthiness of your liver.

6. Do not take medications unnecessarily: Excessive intake of pain relievers, antibiotics or natural medicines can harm the liver.

What Are the Warning Signs about SGOT?

You are advised to consult a health expert in case you have high SGOT levels and experience the following:

• Jaundice ( yellowing of skin and eyes)

• Weakness or tiredness

• Dark urine

• Pain in the right upper abdomen

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting or nausea

Always seek medical advice to get test results and correlate them with your symptoms, your medical history and other tests.

I hope reading this article has helped you understand the full form of SGOT in medical terms. We have covered all the important aspects that you need to understand about Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase or AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase).

Knowledge on the meaning of SGOT in your medical report will enable you to take initiatives towards positive health. Do not be apprehensive in case you have a high SGOT level- find the cause of abnormality and join your physician to normalize it by adopting an appropriate treatment procedure and lifestyle changes.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What does SGOT full form mean in a blood test?

SGOT is a short form of Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. Another name it goes by is AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase).

2. Is SGOT related to liver function?

Yes, SGOT is included in the liver panel of the functions test and can aid to detect a problem in the liver, however, it can be identified in other organs such as the heart and the muscles.

3. What are normal levels of SGOT in the blood?

Its usual range is 5-40 U/L, however, higher values indicate liver damage or muscle damage.

4. What is the cause of high SGOT levels?

Causes that are common are liver disease, heart attack, alcohol abuse and muscle injuries.

5. Is it possible to lower the SGOT levels naturally?

Yes, by changing the lifestyle to a healthier one, not drinking alcohol, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and consulting with a doctor.

6. How does one compare SGOT and SGPT?

SGOT is distributed widely among body organs but SGPT is more specific to the liver. The two parameters are combined to ascertain the wellness of the liver.