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LD (Lactate Dehydrogenase), Blood

Lactate Dehydrogenase, LDH

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5080, Beaker: LD, Antrim: 17268

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

For CSF and other fluid specimens, please see LD, Fluid.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube.

Contact the Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. It is preferable to leave the specimen at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport. However, if the specimen requires other tests, the specimen can be refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) (preferred), or refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens (unless the patient is known to have in-vivo hemolysis).
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection. 

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes and Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 48 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-25°C or 68-77°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days (preferred)
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 48 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days*

*Add-on requests for Lactate Dehydrogenase will only be honored if less than 48 hours have elapsed since the specimen collection time. 

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

Age	Male (U/L)	Female (U/L)
0 - 30 days	125 - 735	145 - 765
31 days - 12 months	170 - 450	190 - 420
13 months - 3 years	155 - 345	165 - 395
4 - 6 years	155 - 345	135 - 345
7 - 9 years	145 - 300	140 - 280
10 - 12 years	120 - 325	120 - 260
13 - 15 years	120 - 290	100 - 275
16 - 18 years	105 - 235	105 - 230
19 years and older	100 -240	100 - 240

Test Methodology

Enzymatic, Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

Increased levels are found in a variety of conditions, including ischemic necrosis, meningitis, leukemia, metastatic tumors.

Clinical Utility

Lactate dehydrogenase is present in multiple cells and tissue types and therefore its utility in patient diagnosis is questionable. It is useful in the assessment of in-vivo hemolysis and hematologic disorders (benign and malignant) conditions in which LD is often increased. LD is also increased following myocardial infarction, pulmonary and renal cortical infarction, liver disease, skeletal muscle disease, and many other conditions. Use of more specific enzymes and protein markers is preferable to LD in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (use Troponin), skeletal muscle (use CK), and liver disease.

CPT Codes

83615

Contacts

Last Updated

2/28/2024