Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is lactic acid dehydrogenase?
- When do I need to have a lactic acid dehydrogenase test?
- Precautions & warnings
- What should I know before taking lactic acid dehydrogenase?
- Process
- What should I do before taking lactic acid dehydrogenase?
- How is the lactic acid dehydrogenase test process?
- What should I do after the lactic acid dehydrogenase test?
- Explanation of the Test Results
- What do my test results mean?
Definition
What is lactic acid dehydrogenase?
Lactic acid dehydrogenase or known as Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase () LDH is an enzyme that helps produce energy. This enzyme is present in almost all tissues in the body and its levels are increased in response to cell damage. LDH levels are measured from blood samples taken from the arteries.
When do I need to have a lactic acid dehydrogenase test?
LDH is most often measured to check for tissue damage. LDH protein is found in many body tissues, especially the heart, liver, kidneys, muscles, brain, blood cells, and lungs. Other conditions for carrying out this test include:
- anemia
- cancer, including blood cancer (leukemia) or lymph cancer (lymphoma)
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before taking lactic acid dehydrogenase?
Many diseases can increase LDH levels. Other tests are usually needed to confirm a diagnosis. Historically, the LDH test has been used to help diagnose and monitor heart attacks, but troponin testing has largely replaced LDH in this role. LDH is not specific to damage to the heart and is no longer recommended for assessing people with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Process
What should I do before taking lactic acid dehydrogenase?
Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medicines that might affect the test. Medicines that can increase LDH measurement include anesthetics, aspirin, clofibrate, fluoride, mithramycin, narcotics, and procainamide. If you are taking one of these, tell your doctor before the test.
How is the lactic acid dehydrogenase test process?
The doctor will clean a small area on the arm or elbow with an antiseptic cloth or alcohol pad. In some cases, the doctor will tie an elastic band around your upper arm to increase blood flow. This makes collecting blood from the arteries much easier. Your arm will then be pierced with a needle that the doctor inserts into the vein. The tube that will collect blood is attached to the other end of the needle. After the blood is drawn, the doctor will take a needle and then use a cotton cloth and bandage to stop the bleeding from the needle pricked skin.
What should I do after the lactic acid dehydrogenase test?
You can return to your normal activities when you finish the test. The doctor will discuss with you about the condition and provide suitable treatment. Sometimes, the doctor may order further tests. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.
Explanation of the Test Results
What do my test results mean?
LDH is an enzyme that helps produce energy. The range of normal values may vary slightly between different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about what specific results mean.
Normal score
Normal LDH levels range from 140-280 units per liter (U / l) or 2.34-4.68 mkat / l.
High marks
Higher than usual levels may indicate:
- lack of blood flow (ischemia)
- heart attack
- hemolytic anemia
- infected mononucleosis
- liver disease (eg hepatitis)
- low blood pressure
- muscle injury
- muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue (muscular dystrophy)
- new abnormal tissue formations (usually cancer)
- pancreatitis
- stroke
- tissue death
If LDH levels are elevated, your doctor may order an isoenzyme LDH test to determine the site of any tissue damage.
