LDH Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum Test in Malad

LDH is a protein that normally appears throughout the body in small amounts, especially in active tissues such as heart, liver, kidney, etc. . LDH levels rise above normal levels in various cancers, so LDH may be used as a tumor marker, but at the same time, it is not useful in identifying one specific type of cancer. Measuring LDH levels can be helpful in monitoring treatment for Cancer, to see if anticancer medications are working, as a measure of reduction in LDH levels. Noncancerous conditions which will elevate LDH levels include heart failure, hypothyroidism, anaemia, and lung or liver disease.

An LDH blood test may be used:
To detect and determine the severity of acute or chronic tissue damage.

To detect and monitor progressive conditions such as anaemia, including hemolytic anaemia and megaoloblastic anaemia, or severe infections, to check for progression of the disease.

To help stage, determine prognosis, and/or monitor treatment and efficacy of anticancer drugs (chemotherapy)

An LDH test is performed on body fluids for a few different reasons.

To help evaluate cerebrospinal fluid and distinguish between bacterial or viral meningitis .

To evaluate other body fluids such as pleural, peritoneal or pericardial fluid and help identify the cause of fluid accumulation-whether due to injury and inflammation (exudate), or due to an imbalance of pressure within blood vessels and the amount of protein in the blood (transudate). This information is helpful in guiding treatment.

Your doctor would recommend this test for you if the doctor spots clots near an injury which may seem like a blood flow deficiency, if you have recently had a heart attack, if you have severe muscle injury, or if you have a liver disease.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is found in nearly all body tissues, more prominently in blood cells and heart muscle. It’s produced when muscles and tissues are damaged due to common injuries or diseases. LDH has significance in preventing muscle failure and fatigue in numerous ways.