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Test Code LAB95 Lactic Acid

Important Note

Special handling required.  Refer to Specimen Transport.

Useful For

Evaluating lactic acidosis in conditions such as shock, pneumonia, congestive heart failure, renal failure, leukemia, thiamine deficiency, diabetic ketoacidosis and any clinical condition associated with reduced brain oxygenation.

Methodology

Enzymatic/Colorimetric

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Plasma or Whole Blood

Collection Container/Tube: Grey top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) for plasma or Lithium Heparin Syringe for whole blood

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic tube or Lithium Heparin syringe

Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL (grey top) / 250uL (lithium heparin syringe)

Collection Instructions:

  1. Draw blood from a fasting patient without the use of a tourniquet.

Additional Information

  • The lactate level increases rapidly with physical exercise. The time required for return to normal lactate values depends on the physical fitness of the subject. 30 minutes at rest is usually sufficient for this purpose.
  • Blood samples should be drawn from a stasis-free vein. However, minimal hemostasis (less than 30 seconds) will not affect lactate levels. Avoid the use of a tourniquet.
  • Glycolysis in blood samples can rapidly increase lactate levels. Cells contribute to the glycolysis and their quick removal is essential for accurate lactate analysis.​
  • Intravenous injection of epinephrine, glucose, bicarbonate, or other infusions that modify the acid-base balance causes elevation of lactate not necessarily related to hypoxia.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Grey top tubes: on wet ice

Lithium Heparin Syringe: Ambient

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) On ice 15 minutes

Plasma, spun and separated

(potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

 Ambient 8 hours
Refrigerated 14 days
Frozen 38 days
Lithium Heparin Syringe Ambient 15 minutes

 

Reference Values

0.5-2.0 mmol/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83605