Causes of low aspartate aminotransferase

There is more than one reason for low aspartate aminotransferase. When people check their bodies and find that their levels are lower than the standard, there is no need to worry. Irregular diets can also lead to low aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, after people take medications, their aspartate aminotransferase levels can also be low. People's aspartate aminotransferase levels are also lower in the morning. These are all normal phenomena.

In liver function tests, alanine aminotransferase is an indicator of liver cell damage, while aspartate aminotransferase is a standard for liver cell necrosis. It is very accurate in detecting cirrhosis, liver fibrosis and liver cancer. It can be combined with alanine aminotransferase to reflect the status of liver function. For example, an alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase ratio below 1.0 indicates patients with cirrhosis or early cirrhosis.

Many literatures report that the ratio of AST to ALT helps determine the severity of liver disease and has certain significance in diagnosis. ①When liver cells are damaged, AST/ALT <1. ② When the AST/ALT ratio is greater than 1, it is common in cirrhosis of various causes; in chronic viral hepatitis, it often indicates fibrosis or progression of cirrhosis; in the late stage of acute hepatitis, it indicates a tendency to severe hepatitis. If it is greater than 2, the prognosis is poor. ③ When the AST/ALT ratio is greater than 2 and the AST level is less than 300, it often indicates alcoholic liver disease; in addition to alcoholic damage, systemic diseases, myocardial damage, etc. may also cause AST/ALT to be greater than 1 or 2. ④ When the AST/ALT ratio is greater than 3 and AST is greater than 500, it indicates circulatory disorders such as left ventricular failure or liver malignancy.

In liver function tests, low aspartate aminotransferase levels are not necessarily caused by hepatitis. Because medications, irregular diet, etc. may cause low aspartate aminotransferase, you don't need to be too nervous if aspartate aminotransferase is low. You just need to go to a regular hospital for diagnosis.