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Test Code LAB188 Lactate Dehydrogenase Body Fluid

Clinical Information

This test has been validated to measure LDH in CSF, amniotic, pericardial, ascites, and pleural fluids. 

Synonym

  • FLLD

Specimen Required

Preferred Container/Tube: Sterile Container
Acceptable Container/Tube: Sterile Container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Ambient: 12 hours
Refrigerated: 12 hours

Rejected Due To

  • Unacceptable container type
  • Sample received past listed stability

Interpretation

Pleural: A Pleural fluid LDH to serum/plasma LDH ratio > 0.6 or a pleural fluid LDH concentration >  two-thirds the upper limit of the serum/plasma LDH reference interval suggest an exudate.

Pericardial: Pericardial fluid LDH to serum/plasma LDH ratio > 0.6 or > 300 U/L suggests an exudate.

Peritoneal/Ascites: Peritoneal fluid LDH to serum/plasma LDH ratio > 0.6 is consistent with an exudate.

CSF: Elevated LDH in CSF specimens may indicate a non-specific immune process. CSF LDH measurements above 40 U/L may be associated with Jakob-Creutzfeldt Disease, Bacterial Meningitis, Neurosyphilis, or tumors of the central nervous system. Contamination of red blood cells can falsely increase LDH measurements. 

Amniotic Fluid: The reference range has not been established for this fluid type. The fluid results should be compared with the concentration in serum/plasma or integrated into the clinical context for interpretation.

Method Description

Photometric rate

Cautions

LD results are significantly elevated in the presence of hemolysis. Body fluids contaminated with blood or hemolyzed blood may result in an inaccurate measurement of LDH in the fluid.

Test Classification

This test has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. The laboratory is regulated under CLIA as qualified to perform high-complexity testing. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research. This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the Clinical Laboratories at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Performing Lab

Clinical Lab UH
Clinical Lab University East

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Reporting Name

Lactate Dehydrogenase Body Fluid

CPT Code Information

83615

LOINC Code Information

14803-1

Report Available

Same day/1 day