Also known as: LD, Lactate dehydrogenase, Lactic dehydrogenase, Total LDH, and LDH isoenzymes Formal name: Lactate dehydrogenase, Total and Isoenzymes Related tests:CK (Creatine Kinase), CK-MB, Troponin, Myoglobin
Why get tested? To help identify the cause and location of tissue damage in the body and to monitor its progress; LDH is elevated in a wide variety of conditions, reflecting its widespread tissue distribution; historically, it has been used to help diagnose and monitor a heart attack, but troponin has largely replaced LDH in this role.
When to get tested? Along with other tests, when your doctor suspects that you have an acute or chronic condition that is causing tissue or cellular destruction and he wants to identify the source of the damage and monitor the problem
Sample required? A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
This article was last reviewed on October 10, 2007.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
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