Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Lactate Dehydrogenase
Lactate Dehydrogenase
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Lactate Dehydrogenase |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | LDH |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | The main role of total LDH is in the detection of minor tissue damage. High specific activities of the enzyme are found in the liver, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle, kidneys and erythrocytes. Myocardial infarction is associated with a 3-4 fold increase of total LDH. Elevations of LDH activity are observed in liver damage, particularly toxic hepatitis with jaundice. Other diseases that can cause increased LDH levels include duchenne muscular dystrophy, renal infarction and haemolytic and megaloblastic anaemias. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 4 days at 2-8°c and for 7 days at 15-25°c |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | Neonates (4-20 days): 225-600 U/L, Children (<15 years old): 120-300 IU/L, Adult females: 135-214 IU/L, Adult males: 135-225 IU/L |
| Limitations | In vitro tests were performed on 16 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No interference with the assay was found. In addition, special growth disorder drugs were tested. No interference was found. |
| Notes |
