AN OVERVIEW
About Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum (LDH)
Why is the Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum (LDH) done?
The lactate dehydrogenase serum test is prescribed by doctors to monitor and detect a wide range of conditions and diseases. Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme found in the cells of the body. This enzyme helps with the conversion of sugar into energy that is utilized by the cells.
The presence of lactate dehydrogenase in the blood can be indicative of damage to the cells of vital organs like the liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, skeletal tissues, and blood cells. The lactate dehydrogenase serum test is often prescribed to be part of the cancer monitoring panel to help understand the severity of the cells and how much damage is caused by chemotherapy. Often when the body starts showing signs of abnormal fluid retention, the test is prescribed.
For people suffering or are at high risk of suffering from the following, the serum LDH test is prescribed:
- Anemia
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- Heart attack
- Meningitis
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Encephalitis
What does the Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum (LDH) measure?
The serum LDH test is prescribed when people have become prone to having high levels of enzymes in their body. The causes for high LDH levels can be due to any disease or infection or even injury. While the diseases are diagnosed, it is only when symptoms are seen that the least is prescribed as part of a screening panel. A person suffering from kidney disease will be prescribed to opt for a routine ldh test to ensure the cells of the organs are not being damaged at an alarming rate.
The various organs have their own marker isoenzyme of the lactate dehydrogenase enzyme. These are:
| Isoenzyme | Organ |
| LDH-1 | heart and red blood cells |
| LDH-2 | white blood cells, traces in heart and red blood cells |
| LDH-3 | Lung tissues |
| LDH-4 | pancreas, kidney, and placenta |
| LDH-5 | liver and skeletal muscle |
The presence of a specific isoenzyme in blood will help diagnose and also prescribe more tests so treatment can be accurate and quick.
Potential risks/side effects associated with the Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum (LDH)
The serum LDH test diagnostic centers is done via a collection of blood samples. There are no potential risks associated with blood collection, especially when done by an experienced phlebotomist. As for side effects, no matter how painless the process be, some people might experience nauseous or dizziness due to the loss of blood and some might see bruising around the puncture mark. But these side effects pose no threat and are gone after resting a bit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Is cerebrospinal fluid collection required to test LDH level?
If doctors suspect meningitis or other disorders related to the brain or spine, they might order a CSF collection to check for LDH levels.
What medications affect LDH levels?
Vitamin C supplements can cause an elevated LDH level in the blood. Letting the doctor or phlebotomist know the same will help with generating accurate results.
Can LDH levels be lowered?
If the cause for elevation is organ failure, then there is no way to naturally lower the levels.
THINGS TO KNOW AFTER GETTING TESTED
Interpreting the Lactate Dehydrogenase Serum (LDH) results
As blood cells and tissues have LDH and these cells undergo destruction and new cells generation, the presence of LDH in the body can be normal. But, this is seen in small amounts as compared to rapid degeneration of tissues that leads to great amounts to be detected. Newborn babies and kids usually have a higher level as compared to adults. In adults, the normal should be between 140 units/L to 280 units/L.
Low levels of lactate dehydrogenase is also a condition but very rarely seen in people. This happens due to mutations leading to a genetic disorder. As a result, energy production becomes less and the person might feel tired all the time.
Certain medications or strenuous exercises can increase the lactate dehydrogenase level in the body.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Serum In Chandigarh
Starts from 150*
The lactate dehydrogenase serum test is done to check if body tissues have suffered any damage. The lactate dehydrogenase or serum LDH test in Chandigarh is prescribed by doctors to check for the presence of the enzyme LDH in blood. This is done when certain symptoms are seen in the person or they are undergoing tumor treatment.
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