LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum Test

LDH test is done as a biochemical indicator to analyse cell injury to the following: liver, lung and also in infection and anaemia
Test can also be used for cancer prognosis - levels of LDH can help estimate tumour burden

One could be prescribed an LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum test by a doctor for a variety of reasons, such as:

• To determine if there is tissue damage, if yes, then how much?
• To keep an eye on serious illnesses or infections including megaloblastic or hemolytic anemias, renal failure, and liver damage.
• To assess specific types of cancer or cancer therapy.

You might get regular LDH tests depending on your health. You could get a bodily fluid LDH test to -

• Find the reason why fluid is accumulating; there are numerous possibilities including inflammation and damage. It might also be caused by an abnormality in your blood's protein content and blood vessel pressure.
• Identify whether you have viral or bacterial meningitis.

This test measures LDH levels in blood

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

A needle will be used to take blood from a vein in the arm. You will require a lumbar puncture for LDH testing of the cerebrospinal fluid (also called a spinal tap). A little needle will be put through your lower back.

Your doctor should be informed of all the medications, food additives, herbs, vitamins, and other substances you are taking before the test.

Very high LDH are seen in: 

• Marked elevation seen in megaloblastic anaemia, pernicious anaemia, Hodgkin's disease, lung and abdominal cancers

High LDH levels are seen in:

• Kidney disease, liver disease, muscle injury, heart attack, pancreatitis, leukaemia, pulmonary infarction, haemolytic anaemia, infectious mononucleosis, sepsis

In rare cases high LDH levels alone may point towards pulmonary embolism

Increased LDH levels in the blood could be an indication of sickness or tissue damage. The plasma LDH value can also tell your doctor if your condition is worsening or if your medication is effective. Based on the lab, normal blood levels of LDH can range from 140 to 280 units/liter (U/L) for adults, but they are typically higher in kids and teenagers.

A significant rise in LDH is associated with lung and abdominal malignancies, Hodgkin's disease, megaloblastic anemia, pernicious anemia, and other diseases. Moderately high LDH may indicate, leukemia, pulmonary infarction, hemolytic anemia, infectious mononucleosis, sepsis, muscular injury, heart attack, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and liver illness. Rarely, elevated LDH values by themselves may indicate pulmonary embolism

If your doctor determines that you have tissue injury after looking at your signs and/or the findings of earlier testing, then this test may be necessary. LDH isoenzymes testing is usually done after a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test. Even though an LDH test looks at LDH values as well, it cannot show where or what kind of tissue damage has occurred.

People with the following symptoms should do the LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum:

• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Cramps while doing the exercise

To determine the location, nature, and degree of tissue injury, an LDH isoenzymes test is performed. It can aid in the diagnosis of numerous illnesses, such as -

• Heart attack
• Anemia
• Kidney illness
• Liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis
• A potentially fatal blockage in the lungs is called a pulmonary embolism
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For an LDH isoenzymes test, no extra preparation is required.

The LDH test may occasionally be recommended in addition to other tests, like a liver profile test. All liver-related enzymes will be tested as a result of this. Blood lactate dehydrogenase levels should be between 50 and 150 U/L.

• Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase
• LDH Test
• Lactate Dehydrogenase Test