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Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Test CodeLDH
Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB96
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume
0.10 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Collection Container: Red top
Instructions
- Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
- Hemolyzed specimens CANNOT be used because erythrocytes contain 150 times more LD activity.
Transport Container
Plastic vial
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen: 6 weeks
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, hemolyzed.
Methodology
IFCC Recommended forward reaction – Lactate to Pyruvate.
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
0 - 1 month: 178 - 629 U/L
1 - 4 months: 158 - 373 U/L
4 - 7 months: 135 - 376 U/L
7 months - 1 year: 129 - 367 U/L
1 - 4 years: 164 - 286 U/L
4 - 7 years: 155 - 280 U/L
7 - 10 years: 141 - 237 U/L
10 - 13 years: 141 - 231 U/L
13 - 150 years: 125 - 331 U/L
1 - 4 months: 158 - 373 U/L
4 - 7 months: 135 - 376 U/L
7 months - 1 year: 129 - 367 U/L
1 - 4 years: 164 - 286 U/L
4 - 7 years: 155 - 280 U/L
7 - 10 years: 141 - 237 U/L
10 - 13 years: 141 - 231 U/L
13 - 150 years: 125 - 331 U/L
Clinical Significance
LDH is an enzyme found in the cells of many body tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscles, brain, RBC's, and lungs. It is responsible for converting muscle lactate into pyruvate, an essential step in producing cellular energy. It is composed of four peptide chains of 2 subunits (M form and H form) which results in up to 5 different isoenzymes which can be separated and quantitated by electrophoresis. Measurement of the total LDH activity in serum or plasma is non-specific and cannot differentiate the tissues of origin of the component isoenzymes.
LDH is used in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia and as a tumor marker in some malignancies such as germ cell tumors.
LDH is elevated in hepatitis, glomerular nephritis, pulmonary embolism, muscle disease and many leukemias and lymphomas.
As LDH is a non-specific marker, it is used in combination with other markers in diagnosis and patient management.
LDH is used in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia and as a tumor marker in some malignancies such as germ cell tumors.
LDH is elevated in hepatitis, glomerular nephritis, pulmonary embolism, muscle disease and many leukemias and lymphomas.
As LDH is a non-specific marker, it is used in combination with other markers in diagnosis and patient management.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, April 11, 2023