LDH isoenzyme blood test
Definition
The
Alternative Names
LD; LDH; Lactic (lactate) dehydrogenase isoenzymes
How the Test is Performed
A
How to Prepare for the Test
The health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines before the test.
Drugs that can increase LDH measurements include:
- Anesthetics
- Aspirin
- Colchicine
- Clofibrate
- Cocaine
- Fluorides
- Mithramycin
- Narcotics
- Procainamide
- Statins
- Steroids (glucocorticoids)
DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel slight pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
LDH is an
The LDH test helps determine the location of tissue damage.
LDH exists in five forms, which differ slightly in structure.
- LDH-1 is found primarily in heart muscle and red blood cells.
- LDH-2 is concentrated in white blood cells.
- LDH-3 is highest in the lung.
- LDH-4 is highest in the kidney, placenta, and pancreas.
- LDH-5 is highest in the liver and skeletal muscle.
All of these can be measured in the blood.
What Abnormal Results Mean
LDH levels that are higher than normal may suggest:
Hemolytic anemia - Hypotension
Infectious mononucleosis - Intestinal ischemia (blood deficiency) and infarction (tissue death)
Ischemic cardiomyopathy - Liver disease such as
hepatitis - Lung tissue death
- Muscle injury
Muscular dystrophy - Pancreatitis
- Lung tissue death
Stroke
Risks
There is little risk in having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Multiple punctures to locate veins
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Carty RP, Pincus MR, Sarafraz-Yazdi E. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 20.
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:702-703.
Review Date: 02/02/2019
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