What does elevated levels of SGOT and SGPT indicate?

Elevated levels of SGOT and SGPT generally indicates liver damage or disease although it can also indicate muscle damage at times, according to Med-Health. SGOT stands for serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase or can also be known as AST for aspartate aminotransferase whereas SGPT stands for serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase or can also be known as ALT for alanine transferase. These two enzymes are highly sensitive markers that are used to determine the liver's ability to function in an efficient and effective manner.

Both of these enzymes can be found in the bloodstream when the liver is damaged. As a result, its presence and its level indicate the severity of the amount of damage that the liver has sustained. Both of these enzymes are responsible for catalyzing chemical reactions that involve amino acids within the body. While the presence of both of these enzymes in the bloodstream indicate that the liver is damaged, the liver can still function properly.

Normal levels of SGOT is approximately 5 to 40 units per liter of serum whereas normal levels of SGPT is approximately 7 to 56 units per liter of serum. The ranges may differ slightly depending on the technique and protocol that is used and implemented.