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HelpTest Code LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Additional Codes
Epic: LAB96
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container/Type
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 3.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
Additional Information: Hemolyzed specimens CANNOT be used because erythrocytes contain 150 times more LD activity.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.10 mL
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 4 days
Frozen: 6 weeks
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
Rejection Due To
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, hemolyzed.
Report Available
Same day / 1 day
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.
Method Name
IFCC Recommended forward reaction – Lactate to Pyruvate.
Day(s) Performed
Daily
LOINC
14804-9