AST (Serum/Plasma)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

SAST

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0131

Laboratory Handling

Sample Stability

4 days at 20-25°C, 7 days at 4-8°C, 3 months -20°C

Synonyms

Aspartate Transaminase

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Heparin (Microtainer)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
• Plain (Red Top)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4.5

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Heparin (Microtainer)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
• Plain (Red Top)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Additional Specimen Information

4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)
Micro-PST0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Blood (Preferred)
Heparin5 mL Heparin Blood
Plain4 mL Plain Serum
SST3.5 mL SST Blood
Microsample0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood
Micro-heparin0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Test Method

Principle: Colorimetric

Reagents: Roche AST kit

Analyser: Cobas c702

Limitations / Interference

Specimen haemolysis can cause false elevations.

Note: the drugs sulfasalazine and sulfapyridine cause negative interference in the assay; patients on these drugs may have falsely low results . Additionally, iron infusions (such as ferric carboxymaltose) interfere with testing and may give falsely low results or make AST & ALT unmeasurable . This effect appears to resolve rapidly (around 24hrs).

Uncertainty of Measurement

Uncertainty of Measurement: 8%

Non-Funded Test Cost

$3.27 (Exclusive of GST)

Additional Costing Information

Please be aware that prices may change. If required, confirmation of the current price can be obtained from Elaine McGrath .

Labplus Order Code: Alpha Code:LFTN (GROUP), Numeric Code:0256
Labplus Fee Code: Alpha Code:BZ2

Contact Information