Sign in →

Test ID LD Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Serum


Necessary Information


Patient's age is required.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Useful For

Investigation of a variety of diseases involving the heart, liver, muscle, kidney, lung, and blood

 

Monitoring changes in tumor burden after chemotherapy; lactate dehydrogenase elevations in patients with cancer are too erratic to be of use in the diagnosis of cancer

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Multiple Myeloma: Laboratory Screening

Method Name

Photometric Rate Reaction

Reporting Name

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD), S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Ambient (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Refrigerated  48 hours

Clinical Information

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity is present in all cells of the body with highest concentrations in heart, liver, muscle, kidney, lung, and erythrocytes. Serum LDH is elevated in a number of clinical conditions.

Reference Values

1-30 days: 135-750 U/L

31 days-11 months: 180-435 U/L

1-3 years: 160-370 U/L

4-6 years: 145-345 U/L

7-9 years: 143-290 U/L

10-12 years: 120-293 U/L

13-15 years: 110-283 U/L

16-17 years: 105-233 U/L

≥18 years: 122-222 U/L

Cautions

Red blood cells contain much more lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) than serum. A hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable. LDH activity is one of the most sensitive indicators of in vitro hemolysis. Causes can include transportation via pneumatic tube, vigorous mixing, or traumatic venipuncture.

 

While increases in serum LDH also are seen following a myocardial infarction, the test has been replaced by the determination of troponin.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

83615

NY State Approved

Yes