Lactic acid, venous blood gas

Test Code

LACTIC ACID,VENOUS BLOOD GAS

Alias/See Also

LACTATE, VENOUS BLOOD GAS

Preferred Specimen

Venous Blood in syringe on ice.

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)

Transport Temperature

Immediately, on ice.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Excess air
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

0.5-1.8 mmol/L

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: December 20, 2019

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.