Test Code LACTA Lactic Acid
Additional Codes
Epic: LAB95
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Plasma NaFl-KOx
Collection Container/Type: Grey top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
- Draw specimen without a tourniquet
- Centrifuge and separate plasma immediately.
- Whole blood samples are not acceptable.
Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unaccpetable
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: 3 days
Reference Range
0.2 - 2 mmol/L
Rejection Due To
Over or under filled, hemolysis, unlabeled and wrong tube type.
Report Available
1 day
Clinical Significance
Lactate is a byproduct of glucose metabolism. The intermediary step in this pathway in the conversion of pyruvate to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase. Lactate is generated in red blood cells, muscle, the brain and the gut. Under normal circumstances, there is a small amount of lactate in the blood. Type A lactic acidosis is caused by insufficient oxygenation of tissues. In the decreased oxygen environment, anaerobic metabolism results. Causes include circulatory failure, trauma, and profound anemia most commonly associated with strenuous exertion and exercise. Type B lactic acidosis is due to overproduction of lactate or inadequate oxygen utilization most commonly associated with malignancies, diabetes, severe infection and several drugs.
Method Name
Lactic Acid to Pyruvate
Lab Processing Instructions (Lab Use Only)
ICL
- Centrifuge sample and aliquot plasma into an aliquot tube.
- Place sample on a STL to IFOH Laboratory: ICLB -> FOLB.
- Send to IFOH - Lab refrigerated in a blue bag.
Day(s) Performed
Monday - Sunday