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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
LACTIC ACID (ARTERIAL/VENOUS)
Test CodeLACTIC ACID (ARTERIAL/VENOUS)
Preferred Specimen
Venous/Arterial Blood in a lithium heparin syringe.
Minimum Volume
150µl
Other Acceptable Specimens
Lithium heparin non-gel
Instructions
This test is for West Roxbury only.Samples must be placed on ice and immediately transported to the lab. Samples containing excess air will be canceled.
Transport Container
Plastic, disposable blood gas syringe
Lithium Heparin (no-gel)
Lithium Heparin (no-gel)
Transport Temperature
Must deliver to lab at room temperature withing 30 minutes of draw. DO NOT put on ice!
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Excess air
Clotted specimen
Clotted specimen
Methodology
Amperometric
Setup Schedule
24/7
Limitations
Samples with excessive air in syringe will be canceled. Metabolic changes can occur if delay in sampling. Over-heparinized samples due to under-filling can cause bias in Na+, Ionized Calcium, and Potassium. The use of Citrate, EDTA, Oxalate or Sodium Fluoride anticoagulant cannot be used.
Reference Range
| Test | Unit | Reference Range | Reportable | ||
| Arterial | Venous | Mixed | Range | ||
| Sodium | mmol/L | 136-145 | 100-180 | ||
| Potassium | mmol/L | 3.5 –5.1 | 1-10.1 | ||
| Chloride | mmol/L | 98-107 | 72-158 | ||
| Glucose | mg/dL | 65-95 | 18-685 | ||
| Ionized calcium | mg/dL | 4.60-5.32 |
4.64-5.32 |
1.1-13.12 | |
| Lactic Acid | Mmol/L | 0.36-0.75 | 0.56-1.39 | 0.3-17 | |
| PH | pH | 7.35-7.45 | 7.32-7.43 | 7.32-7.43 | 6.80-7.92 |
| PCO2 | mmHg | Male: 35-48 Female: 32-35 |
Male: 41-52 Female: 38-41 |
36-52 | 18-126 |
| PO2 | mmHg | 83-108 | 42-501 | ||
| HCO3* | mmol/L | 21-28 | 22-29 | 22-29 | |
| BE* | mmol/L | (-2) - (+3) | (-2) - (+3) | (-2) - (+3) | |
| Anion Gap* | mmol/L | 10-20 | |||
| O2 SAT* | % | 94.0-98.0 | |||
| COHb | % | < 3.0 (nonsmoker) < 10.0 (smoker) |
< 3.0 (nonsmoker) < 10.0 (smoker) |
< 3.0 (nonsmoker) < 10.0 (smoker) |
0.3-75 |
| MetHb | % | 0.0-1.5 | 0.0-1.5 | 0.0-1.5 | 0.7-30 |
Critical values.
| Analyte | Results | |
| SODIUM,ARTERIAL | < 120 | > 160 |
| POTASSIUM,ARTERIAL | < 2.8 | > 6.0 |
| CHLORIDE,ARTERIAL | < 60 | > 150 |
| CALCIUM, ION. VENOUS | < 3.0 | > 6.5 |
| CALCIUM, ION. ARTER | < 3.0 | >6.5 |
| GLUCOSE, ARTERIAL | 50 | 500 |
Clinical Significance
Lactic acid is the product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. The blood lactic acid concentration is affected by its production in muscle cells and erythrocytes and its rate of metabolism in the liver. During exercise, blood lactate can increase up to ten times of normal levels. Measurement is used to evaluate the acid-basee status of patients suspected of having lactic acidosis; to monitor tissue hypoxia and strenuous physical exertion; in the diagnosis of hyperlactemia.
Performing Laboratory
West Roxbury, Chemistry
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek 857-203-5973
Last Updated: April 17, 2026
