Lactic Acid

Message

MUST BE DRAWN AT MAIN LAB CHOMP

Test Code

LAB95

Alias/See Also

LA, LAC

CPT Codes
83605

Instructions

Routine venipuncture. Collect one Gray top (K Oxalate and NA fluoride). Place specimen on ice. Spin specimen and separate plasma from cells WITHIN 15 MINUTES.

Specimen Stability

Plasma stable refrigerated for 3 days

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

Failure to follow proper collection and handling procedures

Methodology
Colorimetric: Lactate in the sample is oxidized by lactate oxidase to pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide.

Setup Schedule

Daily STAT

Report Available

Daily 4 hours; STAT: 1hr

Reference Range

0.7-2.1 mmol/L

Clinical Significance

Lactate is the end product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. The concentration of lactate in the blood is dependent on the rate of production in muscle cells and erythrocytes and the rate of metabolism in the liver. Lactic acidosis usually results from overproduction or underutilization of lactate. Elevated lactate levels can occur as a result of tissue hypoxia; diabetes mellitus; phenformin therapy; malignancies; glycogen storage disease; ethanol, methanol, or salicylate ingestion; and metabolic acidosis.

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.