SGOT Test - Natural Ways to Lower Aspartate Aminotransferase Levels

What is SGOT?

SGOT is a test to determine the quantity of Aspartate aminotransferase.

The Aspartate aminotransferase(AST) is an enzyme found in the heart and liver. This enzyme is a protein that helps to stimulate and triggers the chemical reactions that your body needs to function. It is also found in other parts of the body but in lesser amount including muscles and kidneys.

The amount of Aspartate aminotransferase when gets increased in the body than it creates a problem in the body. The increasing and decreasing amount of this enzyme can be diagnosed by testing your blood. The damaged or infected liver produces abnormal levels of Aspartate aminotransferase.

This enzyme is also called serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). To test the exact amount of this enzyme in the blood is known as the SGOT test. Our liver is an important organ in the body that has many functions to do in the body by removing waste products and other toxins from the blood. The clotting of blood is also done with the help of the liver as it produces the protein and the substances that help to clot the blood.

A major part of AST(Aspartate aminotransferase) is made by the liver, other organs also make Aspartate aminotransferase but in less quantity. If the liver gets damaged by diseases like hepatitis or the use of drugs and alcohol, it hinders the normal production of Aspartate aminotransferase and produces abnormal quantity (in excess)of Aspartate aminotransferase . 

Level of SGOT

The normal range of SGOT is between 8 and 45 units per liter of serum in the blood. Men have a higher amount of Aspartate aminotransferase than women.

The line of danger begins when more than 45 units per liter of serum are present in women and greater than 50 units per liter of serum are present in men. So it is considered as a dangerous level if the units exceed more than 50 in males and more than 45 in females. Some variation in the normal ranges depends on the technique used in the lab.

The procedure of the SGOT Test: It is a simple test like any other blood test. The procedure includes after seating the patient in a chair procedure follows by tying an elastic band around the arm. After finding a suitable vein, the technician cleans the site with alcohol contained a sterile swab.

Nest step of this procedure is to insert the small needle into the vein and draw blood from the vein when the vial has filled with blood the technician will remove the needle and instruct the person to hold a gauge against the site of insertion, after removing the elastic band and securing the gauze with medical tape patient is asked to relax as the whole procedure is completed. 

Risks involved in the test

In routine, there are not many risks involved with this test but few of them are as follows:

• Minor bruising
• Sometimes the site of blood draw gets bleed

Additional follow up tests:Sometimes if your test is inconclusive, your doctor may order additional follow up tests, if the doctor is checking for damaged liver

Bilirubin test:Bilirubin is a molecule and it’s a by-product of the destruction of the red blood cells in the liver and released as bile.

Platelet count:Platelets' low quantity indicates the problem of the liver .

Coagulation panel:Blood‘s ability to clot and by calculating the proper functioning of clotting factor proteins produced by the liver.

Glucose tests:Low glucose levels can also be the reason for abnormal liver functioning.

Ultrasound:In some cases, ultrasound is also recommended as a follow-up test.

Causes of high Aspartate aminotransferase

There are various causes of Aspartate aminotransferase‘s high levels in the blood.

Some of them are as follows

Hepatitis A: This infection is a contagious liver infection caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the stool of someone who already has the hepatitis virus.

Hepatitis B: It is a serious condition of liver infection by the hepatitis B virus(HBV) for some people this Hepatitis B virus becomes chronic, it lasts more than six months. This disease occurs if you have unprotected sex with someone who is infected with Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B can also spread through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. A newborn baby can also get this disease by his/her mother.

Hepatitis C:Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver that is due to a virus known as hepatitis C. Person contracts the hepatitis C virus by coming into contact with infectious fluids and secretions by somebody else who is suffering from this disease.

Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease: Build-up of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol, normal liver contains some fat, but excessive fat in the liver without consumption of liquor can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Obesity: Obesity can also be the reason behind the elevation of Aspartate aminotransferase.

Liver Cancer: Liver Cancer is the condition that starts from liver cells hepatocellular carcinoma is the most popular type of cancer. That Aspartate aminotransferase’s level gets elevated in the blood.

Symptoms

Symptoms of elevation of liver enzymes may vary fatigue, fever, pain in the abdominal, jaundice, itching, vomiting, nausea are the symptoms of the Abnormal levels of liver enzymes.

Ayurveda and Aspartate aminotransferase

One of the 3 dosha’s Pitta is associated with the Liver, as the liver is considered a fire. As one of the main organs of the body liver plays an important role in the digestion and elimination of waste products in the body. To work properly liver‘s ability to flush toxins from the body.

Toxins like alcohol and fats when get overloaded in the liver, the liver has to work hard to eliminate them from the system.

Herbs to Treat Aspartate aminotransferase

1. Punarnava(Boerrhavia diffusa)

The plant of Punarnava has white, carmine, purple leaves of this plant are fleshy with soft hairs. The flowers of this plant are small and pink in the color. Punarnava is a natural herb that helps in regenerating liver cells and it helps to eradicate the excessive fat from the body.

2. Sharpunkha(Tephrosia purpurea)

To treat the liver ailments including enlargement of the liver this herb is very effective and helps in the regeneration of liver cells.

Katuki(Picrorhiza kurrao)

Excessive fat deposit in the liver and toxins in the gall bladder are the reason behind the excessive secretion of Aspartate aminotransferase enzyme by the liver katuki as a herb helps to eliminate toxins and excess fat both unwanted substances from the liver and the accumulation of the toxins in the gall bladder can also be washed away with Katuki herb

4. Bhringraj(Eclipta alba)

Accumulation of the toxins in the liver can be eliminated with this herb as this herb has an astonishing power to regenerate liver cells.

Planet Ayurveda one of the best Ayurvedic Center in India and abroad in the Field of Ayurveda recommends some of the herbal remedies to eradicate the problem of excessive secretion of the Aspartate aminotransferase.

They are as follows

1.Yakritplihantak Churna

This combination is prepared with the best and pure herbs of Planet Ayurveda that help to recover the liver function. Its property to regenerate the cells of the liver and Prevents  liver failure disease.

Ingredients

Bhumi Amla: Bhumi Amla is an effective herb to treat various ailments of the liver the raised SGOT levels can also be regulated by this herb by eliminating the toxins from the body, hence detoxifies the liver and brings down the elevated levels Aspartate aminotransferase with proper use of this herb within 3 to 4 months,this herb helps in regenerating liver cell and treats the failure of the liver.

Katuki: To eliminate excessive fat deposit in the liver and toxins in the gall bladder this herb work as a wonder.

Punarnava(Boerrhavia diffusa): Punarnava is a natural herb that helps in regenerating liver cells and it helps to eradicate the excessive fat from the body and helps in eliminating toxins from the liver.

Sharpunkha(Tephrosia purpurea): To treat the liver ailments and for regeneration purpose, this herb helps to treat the fatty liver problem and excessive level of aspartate  aminotransferase enzyme.

Kasni: Purification of the blood is the main function of this herb and it helps in curbing the problem of liver failure.

Bhringraj(Eclipta alba): Regeneration of the liver cells and removing toxins from the liver is the main purpose of this herb.

Kalmegh(Andrographis paniculata), Makoy(Solanum Indicum) these all herbs are used in this formulation of Yakritplihantak churna

Dosage of Yakritplihantak churna:1 Tablespoonful in 400 ml water keeps boiling the water till it remains 50ml in quantity. Twice a day is recommended.

2.Echinacea Capsules

Echinacea Capsules are Ayurvedic preparation of Planet Ayurveda having pure Echinacea(Andrographis paniculata) herbs extract anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of this herb are very beneficial to overcome with the problem of Aspartate aminotransferase’s elevated level.

It helps in removing the toxins from the body by stimulation of the helpful enzymes in the body and triggering the secretion of helpful fluids which helps to give the liver a healthy boosting power to combat all liver problems.

Conclusion

In this article, we try to give all the information about the SGOT test and the reason for this test, and the best herbal remedies to overcome this problem.