LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) Test

What is a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test? 

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that is required for the processof turning sugar into energy for the cells. LDH is present in all kinds oforgans and tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart,pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscles, lymph tissue, and blood cells.

When an illness or injury damages your cells, LDH may be released intothe bloodstream, causing the level of LDH in your blood to rise. Highlevels of LDH in the blood point to acute or chronic cell damage, butadditional tests are necessary to discover its cause. Abnormally low LDHlevels only occur rarely and usually aren’t considered as harmful.

What are the other names for a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)test? 

Other names are:  LDH test, lactic dehydrogenase, lactic aciddehydrogenase

What are the test parameters included in a Lactate Dehydrogenase(LDH) test?

There is only one parameter: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test

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What does a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test measure? 

Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that plays an essential role in theproduction of energy from glucose. It is present in all the cells of thebody, with the highest concentrations being in the cells of the heart,lungs, muscles, liver, kidneys, and blood. Normally, only a small amountof the enzyme is found in the serum and outside blood cells. However, incertain conditions of damage to the cells, lactate dehydrogenase issecreted out of the cells into the serum, where it’s concentration rises.Thus, the serum lactate dehydrogenase test is a nonspecific test thathelps to determine the presence of conditions that are causing tissuedamage somewhere in the body. Further tests are conducted to identify theexact cause and location of these conditions.

The total lactate dehydrogenase in the body consists of five differentforms of enzymes (isoenzymes) named LDH-1 to LDH-5. These isoenzymes arepresent in different concentrations in different organs of the body. Forexample, LDH-1 and LDH-2 are the most abundant in the cells of the heart,while LDH-5 is most abundant in the liver. Although the total LDH valuescan indicate the tissue damage somewhere in the body, testing for thedifferent isoenzymes can help identify the location of such damage.

Lactate dehydrogenase is also secreted into the other body fluids in caseof damage to the body tissues. This is also produced by bacteria and canbe thus used to help identify bacterial meningitis.

What’s the normal range? 

313 to 618 U/L

Who should get a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test? 

A lactate dehydrogenase test may be included with other tests to aid inthe diagnosis of heart disease, to assess the prognosis of certain typesof cancer, and to monitor the disease progression or response totreatment.

Lactate dehydrogenase testing is often recommended when your health careprovider suspects you having an acute or chronic health condition that iscausing the tissue damage. In this particular case of tissue damage,conditions that may affect the heart, lungs, blood, kidney, and liver maybe evaluated and monitored with LDH testing.

The LDH blood test may be performed when a person has signs of infection,like organ failure or drug reaction.

Chronic conditions of tissue damage develop slowly over time and usuallyrequire periodic testing to check for signs of disease progression. TheLDH blood testing can aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of chronicconditions like anaemia and liver diseases, including hepatitis.

LDH testing of other bodily fluids in the brain and spine, chest, orabdomen may be ordered along with other tests to evaluate conditions thatcause tissue damage in these areas.

Patients with certain types of cancers, including melanoma, multiplemyeloma, lymphoma, and testicular cancer may undertake LDH testing todetermine the severity or stage of the disease.  LDH testing mightalso be performed during and after cancer treatment to assess a patient’sprognosis, which describes the likely outcome of the disease.

Because LDH is a nonspecific and general marker of tissue or cell damage,there are many circumstances that may prompt its use. You can ask thedoctor about the purpose of LDH testing for your situation.

Preparations needed for the Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)test 

There is no preparation for this test. Fasting is not required.

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What is the cost of a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test?

What is the type of sample required?

This test requires a blood sample.

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Who performs a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test?

A healthcare provider called a phlebotomist usually performs blooddraws, including those for a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) blood test, butany healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can perform this task.The samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratory scientistprepares the samples and performs the tests on analysers or manually itis done.

What should I expect during my Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)Test?

You can expect the experience the following during a blood test orblood draw:

• You will sit comfortably on the chair, and a healthcare providerwill check your arms for an easily accessible vein. This is theinner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow.

• Once they have located a vein, they will clean and disinfect thearea with an alcohol swab.

• Then they will insert a small needle into your vein to draw a bloodsample. This might feel like a small pinch.

• After they have inserted the needle, the required amount of bloodwill collect in a test tube.

• Once they have collected enough blood to test, they’ll remove theneedle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the site to stop anybleeding.

• They will place a band-aid over the pricked site, and the bloodcollection is finished.

This process takes less than five minutes.

What should I expect after my Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test?

After a healthcare provider has collected the blood sample, they willsend it to a laboratory for testing. Once the test results are ready,your healthcare provider will share the results with you.

What are the risks of a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test?

These blood tests are very common and don’t carry any significantrisks. You may have a  slight pain like an ant bite when the needlegets inserted, and a small bruise may develop there.

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When can I expect my Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test results?

These reports are available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours of thecollection of the blood sample.

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What do the results of a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test mean?

Interpreting test results

The test report will show your level of LDH and include information onthe reference ranges applied to your results. Reference ranges are thetest result ranges that are considered expected for a healthyindividual.

LDH reference ranges are set by the laboratory that is evaluating theblood or body fluid sample based on their equipment and methodology.Because reference ranges can vary from laboratory to laboratory, it isimportant for a health care provider to help you interpret the testresults.

LDH may be elevated in a wide range of diseases and medical conditions.The interpretation of an elevated LDH level depends on several factors,including the reason for the test, the patient’s history and physicalexam, and other laboratory test results.

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Elevations in LDH levels are sometimes seen in healthy patients. Butfurther investigation is not recommended unless other signs or symptomsof the disease are present. Children typically have higher normal valuesof LDH than adults.

An abnormally low LDH test result is uncommon. A high vitamin C or Eintake may cause low test results. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)deficiency is a rare genetic disorder that interferes with the body’sability to create lactate dehydrogenase.

By using lactate dehydrogenase to assess and monitor certaincancers

Analysing LDH can be useful in assessing the severity and progressionof cancer. The LDH testing may be performed in patients diagnosed withmelanoma, multiple myeloma, some non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, testicularcancer, and other types of cancer.

After certain cancers have been diagnosed, routine testing of LDH maybe helpful. Analysing the LDH may help the doctors to understand howsevere the cancer is, how likely it is to respond to the treatment, andwhether the patient has returned after treatment for the follow-up. Thehigher levels of LDH might indicate a higher number of cancer cells thatare present in the body, which is referred to as a “high tumorburden.”

The LDH can also be used as a tumor marker during and after cancertreatment. This means LDH measurements are taken periodically andcompared to the previous measurements. If the LDH values decrease, itmay be a sign that the cancer is responding to the therapy. An increasein the LDH may be a sign that the cancer is not responding to treatmentor has returned after treatment.

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What other tests should I take along with this test?

CKMB Mass, Troponin I.

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How to book a Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test at home?

Log intowww.orangehealth.inand submit your details. Our highly trained, professional, andvaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at thetime booked by you.