Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

Tube Type

Stability
Test ID		LAB131
EPIC Order		AST
CPT Code(s)		84450
Group/Individual Test		Individual
Laboratory		Core Laboratory
Tube Station		Routine 30; STAT 888
Specimen	Routine:	1 mL blood/green lithium heparin gel tube. Also acceptable gold SST, orange SST or red plain tube
Specimen	Micro:	200 µL blood/mint green top bullet/gold top/red top
	Unspun:	≤4 hours recommended.
	Spun/Separated, Room Temp:	≤3 days
	Spun/Separated, Refrigerated:	≤7 days
	Frozen:	30 days
Availability		24 hours/day
Turnaround Time		STAT 1 hr., Routine 2 hrs.
Reference Range	Normal:	AST (U/L)
		Age	Female (U/L)	Male (U/L)
		0-15 days	32-162	32-162
		15 days - <1 year	20-67	20-67
		1 - <7 years	21-44	21-44
		7 - <12 years	18-36	18-36
		12 - <19 years	13-26	14-35
		>19 years	<34	<34
		For unknown, unspecified or transgender patients, both male and female reference ranges will be reported with the following comment: "Sex-specific reference interval. Interpret in the context of patient's hormone profile."
Comments		Reference ranges effective July 13, 2021.

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 10, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514