AST / ALT
The ratio of AST to ALT — provides clues about the type of liver injury.
What is it
The AST:ALT ratio compares the two liver enzymes. Patterns of elevation differ by cause of liver injury in published research.
Why it's measured
An AST:ALT ratio greater than 2 has been associated with alcohol-related liver injury in research literature.
Reference range
Standard laboratory reference
< 1.0 ratio
Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Your individual reference range will appear on your test report and should be interpreted by your physician in the context of your overall health profile.
What results may indicate
Elevated
Ratios > 2 have been associated with alcohol-related liver injury in research literature.
Lower
Lower ratios are commonly seen in other forms of hepatocellular injury including fatty liver disease.
These associations are general. They are not a personal diagnosis or prediction. Discuss your individual results with your physician in the context of your full health profile.
When it's measured
Calculated when AST and ALT are both measured.
Related markers
Common questions
The AST:ALT ratio compares the two liver enzymes. Patterns of elevation differ by cause of liver injury in published research.
It's one of the markers used to build a fuller picture of your health. On its own it tells you very little, so it's most informative when reviewed alongside related markers.
It's measured from a standard blood draw at Quest or LabCorp. AST : ALT Ratio is one of the markers included in the OPTML Apex Panel, where your results are read across systems and reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory, and a single value rarely tells the whole story. Review your result with a physician in the context of your other markers, symptoms, and history.
AST : ALT Ratio is one signal among many. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the panel that fits.
Because AST is substantially muscle-derived and ALT is more liver-specific, hard training can push this ratio up on its own. Where a lab is drawn a day or two after a heavy session, the ratio is worth re-checking when properly rested before it is interpreted. If you want a structured place to start, the training library lists every programme we publish by days per week and equipment.
Measured in
A complete look at your heart, hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and longevity systems — drawn at Quest or LabCorp, reviewed by a U.S.-licensed physician.
Find the right panel →This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lab results alone are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition and do not replace the advice of a healthcare provider. OPTML does not offer medical advice, a diagnosis, medical treatment, or any form of medical opinion.
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