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HelpTest Code LAB96 Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Total
Useful For
- Investigation of a variety of diseases involving the heart, liver, muscle, kidney, lung, and blood
- Monitoring changes in tumor burden after chemotherapy
- The highest levels are seen in patients with megaloblastic anemia, disseminated carcinoma and shock.
- Moderate increases occur in muscular disorders, nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis.
- Mild increases in LDH activity have been reported in cases of myocardial or pulmonary infarction, leukemia, hemolytic anemia and non‑viral hepatitis.
Methodology
Photometric Rate
Performing Laboratory
Bozeman Health Laboratory Services
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: Plasma or serum
Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel), red top, or gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Avoid hemolysis. Separate from RBCs as soon as possible. For serum, complete clot formation should take place prior to centrifugation.
Specimen Rejection: Hemolyzed samples will be rejected.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma or Serum | Ambient (preferred) | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 4 days | |
| Frozen | 6 weeks |
Additional Information
Ambient is the preferred temperature. In connection with certain diseases (e.g. hepatopathy, diseases of skeletal muscle, malignant tumors), the LDH‑4 and LDH‑5 isoenzyme portions are increased and unstable in cooled and frozen samples; this may lead to an incorrect LDH value in samples collected from patients suffering from such diseases.
Reference Values
0-190 U/L
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Test Classification and CPT Coding
83615