The lactate dehydrogenase or lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme in the body that is involved in the conversion of sugar into energy. It is present in various body tissues and organs such as muscles, heart, liver, pancreas, brain, blood cells and kidneys. A LDH test measures the level of LDH in blood to identify the location as well as the severity of tissue damage in one’s body. A high LDH level may indicate tissue damage caused by any disease or injury. The test is usually performed using the plasma or serum of the blood, but sometimes other bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid which is present around the brain and the spinal cord, are also used. It is also used to monitor the progress of some forms of cancer, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. Previously, LDH tests were also used in the diagnosis and monitoring of heart attack, but now other tests are used.
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The doubts regarding the results of the LDH test should be clarified by taking a qualified healthcare professional's opinion, and self-diagnosis by the patients is not advisable. A high LDH level indicates some form of tissue damage. Diseases that can cause high LDH includes anemia, muscle injury, kidney disease, liver disease, certain types of cancers, and infections. More specific tests like LDH isoenzyme tests are required to know the location of tissue damage..
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The normal range of LDH in the blood is approximately 140-280 U/L. Slight variations may be present in different laboratories. In cerebrospinal fluid, the normal range is less than 40 U/L for adults and less than 70 U/L for newborns.
The values above the normal range are considered as high LDH. However, an elevated LDH may not always be a cause of concern.
A high LDH level in COVID can indicate the poor prognosis of the disease. Elevations of LDH to at least above 250 U/L are seen in COVID. The LDH test helps in predicting the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome in those who have been infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
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What does the CBC Test Measure ?
An LDH test is used to identify the presence of tissue damage, monitor certain conditions that can lead to tissue damage such as anemia, lung diseases, liver diseases, myocardial infarction, and certain infections, and the progress of treatment with chemotherapies.
Abnormal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin or hematocrit may be a sign of anemia, heart disease or low iron levels in your body.
Low white cell count may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, bone marrow disorder, or cancer.
High white cell count may be a sign of an infection or a reaction to medicine.
Low platelet count can be a signal of blood cancer, alcoholic liver disease, viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis etc.
Why should I do the LDH Test ?
An LDH test is suggested if a person has symptoms of tissue damage. The symptoms can vary according to the type of tissue damage and their location. A cancer patient under treatment might also require an LDH test.
How is the LDH Test Done ?
The LDH test is a simple blood test with no need for fasting before the test. The blood sample can be taken by the phlebotomist at a pathology lab or at home. At NABL Certified Maurya Labs the test is done on a fully automatic machine. The sample collection takes less than a minute.
How often should LDH Test be Done ?
LDH test as mentioned above is a special test and has to be done on the advise of a doctor. The requirement of a LDH test can only be ascertained once the doctor takes complete medical history and correlates it with your current symptoms.
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