top of page
Search

What is Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in Blood Test? What is High and Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level? Causes & Treatment?

Updated: Jun 20, 2024

  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood test is a test that measures how much Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is in the blood.

  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is a type of enzyme used to obtain energy from sugar.

  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is found in almost all tissues of the body, but is more abundant in the heart, muscles, liver, pancreas, lungs, kidneys and red blood cells.

  • Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is present in the blood at a certain rate. However, when there is an organ damage, it leaves the cell and mixes with the blood. Therefore, the Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test is used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, especially those involving the heart, liver, muscle, kidney, lung, pancreas and blood.

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in blood test is a test that measures how much Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is in the blood. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is a type of enzyme used to obtain energy from sugar. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is found in almost all tissues of the body, but is more abundant in the heart, muscles, liver, pancreas, lungs, kidneys and red blood cells. Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is present in the blood at a certain rate. However, when there is an organ damage, it leaves the cell and mixes with the blood. Therefore, the Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) test is used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, especially those involving the heart, liver, muscle, kidney, lung, pancreas and blood. If the LDH value is high in a blood test, this means that the LDH in the tissues is leaking into the blood due to possible tissue damage. Damage usually results from disease, infection, or injury. A high LDH level does not always mean there is a medical condition that requires treatment. Intense exercise and some medications can sometimes cause high LDH values. Low LDH levels are not common and are not usually considered a health problem.
What is Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in Blood Test? What is High and Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level? Causes & Treatment?

Total LDH Test and LDH Isoenzyme Test

There are five different forms of the LDH enzyme. Each isoenzyme has a slightly different structure and is more abundant in certain tissues in the body.

  • LDH-1 in heart and red blood cells

  • LDH-2 in white blood cells. It is also found in the heart and red blood cells, but less than LDH-1.

  • LDH-3 in the lungs. Smaller amounts are found in other tissues.

  • LDH-4 in the kidneys and pancreas. It is also found in the placenta (the organ that brings oxygen and nutrients to the baby) in pregnant women.

  • LDH-5 in the liver and skeletal muscles (muscles that attach to bones to aid movement)

The total LDH test shows the total amount of LDH in the blood. It indicates the presence of possible damage, but does not indicate exactly where the damage is caused. A more detailed LDH isoenzyme test is performed to test where the damage originates.


What is A Normal Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level in Blood Test ?

Normal LDH values ​​in a blood test vary with age. Normal LDH values ​​for age are:

  • 1-30 days: 135-750 U/L

  • 31 days-11 months: 180-435 U/L

  • 1-3 years: 160-370 U/L

  • 4-6 years: 145-345 U/L

  • 7-9 years: 143-290 U/L

  • 10-12 years: 120-293 U/L

  • 13-15 years: 110-283 U/L

  • 16-17 years: 105-233 U/L

  • 18 years and older: 122-222 U/L

LDH value is not measured only from blood. Measurements can also be made by evaluating fluids taken from the spine (cerebrospinal fluid), abdomen (peritoneal fluid) and chest (pleural fluid). Reference values ​​may vary between laboratories. It is necessary to take into account the reference values ​​of the laboratory where the test was performed.


What is High Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level in Blood Test?

  • High Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in a blood test is a result above the reference value.

  • If the LDH value is high in a blood test, this means that the LDH in the tissues is leaking into the blood due to possible tissue damage. Damage usually results from disease, infection, or injury.

  • A high LDH level does not always mean there is a medical condition that requires treatment. Intense exercise and some medications can sometimes cause high LDH values.


What Causes High Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level in Blood Test?

  • Some types of anemia

  • Infectious mononucleosis

  • Stroke

  • Some medications used

  • Intestinal and lung infarction

  • Kidney disease

  • Lung disease

  • Liver disease

  • Muscle injury

  • Pancreatitis

  • Bone fracture

  • Heart attack

  • Infections

  • Lymphoma

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Leukemia

  • Brain and spinal cord diseases, such as encephalitis and bacterial meningitis

  • Some drugs


High Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Symptoms

Symptoms of high LDH vary depending on the tissue where the damage occurs. Because high LDH is caused by many causes, symptoms can vary widely.


How to Treat High Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level?

Treatment of high LDH depends on the underlying cause. Once the disease is diagnosed, your doctor will apply the appropriate treatment protocol. Changes in lifestyle and eating habits may aid treatment.


What is Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level in Blood Test?

  • Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in a blood test is a result below the reference value.

  • Low LDH levels are not common and are not usually considered a health problem.

What Causes Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level in Blood Test?

  • Excessive consumption of Vitamin C

  • Some genetic disorders can cause low LDH by affecting enzyme production in the body.

  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially B vitamins and folic acid deficiency, can reduce LDH levels by affecting cellular metabolism.

  • Serious liver diseases can affect enzyme production, causing a decrease in LDH levels.

  • Bone marrow problems or failure can affect cell production, leading to low LDH.

  • Some immune system problems or immunodeficiency conditions can reduce LDH levels by affecting cellular activity.


Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Symptoms

Since low LDH will cause low energy production, symptoms include fatigue, muscle pain, and cramps.


How to Treat Low Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Level?

Treatment for low LDH depends on the underlying cause. If vitamin C intake is high, vitamin C intake is reduced. If there is another underlying disease, the treatment will be directed towards that.

bottom of page