LDH
A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test usually measures the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a sample of your blood. The normal range is 80–225 U/L for adults, as American Board of Internal Medicine (Laboratory Test Reference Ranges) publishes it.
In certain cases, LDH levels are measured in samples of other body fluids. This includes testing fluid from the spine (cerebrospinal fluid), the belly (peritoneal fluid), and the chest (pleural fluid).
LDH is mainly used to check for tissue damage. Many types of acute (sudden) and chronic (long-lasting) conditions can damage tissues and cause high LDH levels. So LDH testing may be used in many different situations from bone and muscle injuries to monitoring treatment for cancer.
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineNormal range
10 published ranges, each from a named source- 18 y+
- 122–222 U/L
- Normal
- 80–225 U/L
All source ranges (10)
by lab, sex and age, as published ·
| Source | Sex | Age | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Board of Internal Medicine (Laboratory Test Reference Ranges) | All | all ages | 80–225 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 1 d – 30 d | 135–750 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 1 mo – 11 mo | 180–435 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 1 y – 3 y | 160–370 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 4 y – 6 y | 145–345 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 7 y – 9 y | 143–290 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 10 y – 12 y | 120–293 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 13 y – 15 y | 110–283 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 16 y – 17 y | 105–233 U/L |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Pediatric Test Catalog) | All | 18 y+ | 122–222 U/L |
What a high or low result can mean
LOINC2HPO, Monarch InitiativeThis is reference information, not a diagnosis: only a clinician can interpret your result in context.
- Sample
- Serum or plasma · LOINC
- Part of
- Lactate dehydrogenase panel
- Listed under
- Anemia · Cancer · Heart Attack · Infectious Mononucleosis · Liver Diseases · Pancreatic Diseases
- Code
- LOINC 14805-6 · U/L
- Also called
- Lactate dehydrogenase (pyruvate to lactate reaction), P to L, LD, Rxn