Lactate dehydrogenase measurement is used in the investigation of many diseases involving the heart, liver, muscles, kidneys, lungs, and blood and in the monitoring of neoplasias after chemotherapy.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an intracellular enzyme found in almost all cells of the body and released after tissue damage. The highest concentrations of LDH are found in organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle cells, and red blood cells. When body tissues are damaged by injury, ischemia, or acid-base imbalance, LDH is released into the bloodstream.
When LDH concentration is particularly elevated, electrophoresis of its isoenzymes should be carried out in order to determine the location of tissue damage.
Determination of LDH is used as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer and some myelodysplastic syndromes.
Possible Interpretations of Pathological Values
- Increase: Alcoholism, anemia (hemolytic, megaloblastic, malignant due to folic acid deficiency), anoxia, burns (electrical, thermal), cancer, cardiomyopathy, cerebrovascular accident, cirrhosis, congestive heart disease (with myocardial infarction), convulsions, tremor delirium, arrhythmia (ventricular), liver neoplasm, hepatitis (acute, toxic), hypothyroidism, infectious mononucleosis, intracardiac prosthetic valves, jaundice (obstructive), lactic acidosis, leukemia (granulocytic, acute), lymphoma, muscular dystrophy, myocardial infarction, myxedema, nephrectomy, nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, ovarian dysgerminoma, pain (muscle and bone), peritonitis, pheochromocytoma, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, polymyositis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, renal infarction, renal infection, renal malignancy, sickle cell anemia, shock, skeletal muscle necrosis, splenomegaly, steatorhoea, toxic shock syndrome, trauma, tumors, ulcerative colitis. Medications: anesthetics, chlorpromazine hydrochloride, clofibrate, codeine, dicoumarol, ethyl alcohol (ethanol), floxuridine, fluorides, imipramine, lithium carbonate, lorazepam, meperidine, methotrexate, tartrate, metoprolol, mithramycin, morphine and other analgesic drugs, niacin, nifedipine, nitrofurantoin, procainamide hydrochloride, propoxyphene, propranolol, quinidine, sulfonamides, thyroid hormones.
- Decrease: Radiation therapy. Medications: oxalates.
Important Note
Laboratory test results are the most important parameter for the diagnosis and monitoring of all pathological conditions. 70%-80% of diagnostic decisions are based on laboratory tests. The correct interpretation of laboratory results allows a doctor to distinguish "healthy" from "diseased".
Laboratory test results should not be interpreted from the numerical result of a single analysis. Test results should be interpreted in relation to each individual case and family history, clinical findings, and the results of other laboratory tests and information. Your personal physician should explain the importance of your test results.
At Diagnostiki Athinon we answer any questions you may have about the test you perform in our laboratory and we contact your doctor to get the best possible medical care.
