Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Test Code

LDHAMD

Alias/See Also

593

CPT Codes
83615

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in a sodium or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Instructions

Do not refrigerate or freeze.

For fluids, please use test codes:
17589X, LD, Pleural Fluid
17588X, LD, Peritoneal Fluid
17658X, LD, Synovial Fluid
17647X, LD, Pericardial Fluid
1687X LD, CSF
*Fluids other than those listed are not acceptable.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Hemolysis

Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Sun-Fri a.m. and nights, Sat a.m.; Report available: Next day

Clinical Significance

Elevations in serum lactate dehydrogenase occur from myocardial infarction, liver disease, pernicious and megaloblastic anemia, pulmonary emboli, malignancies, and muscular dystrophy. Since lactic dehydrogenase is present in many body tissues, it's diagnosis usefulness is limited. Tissue specificity may be enhanced by isoenzyme analysis.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.