Lactate

Message

Performing Lab: Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Westfields

Test Code

0530

Alias/See Also

Sunquest; LACT; Lactic Acid, L-Lactate

CPT Codes
83605

Preferred Specimen

0.2 mL Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE

Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Flouride Oxalate Plasma (gray-top)

Instructions

Collection:
Collect and keep specimen on ice until processing.
Collect without the use of a tourniquet or within 3 minutes of applying the tourniquet, but before releasing the tourniquet. Do not allow patient to clench/unclench hand; this builds up lactic acid. Deliver to laboratory immediately. Room temperature samples must be received and assayed within 15 minutes of collection.

Transport Temperature

Ice Slush or Refrigerated if Lithium Heparin
If you use Gray tube it must be sent on ice.

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated: 2 weeks
Frozen: 1 month

Methodology
Colorimetric or Bichromatic Endpoint (Lakeview)

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day.

Reference Range

	Reference Range	Critical Value
	0.5-2.2 mmol/L	>4.0 mmol/L

Clinical Significance

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.