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Synonyms |
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LDH
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Clinical
Indications |
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Serum
LDH is increased in many malignancies. Mild to moderate increases
probably reflect tissue destruction but very high levels
(>2,000 IU/L) may be seen in patients with lymphoma
or leukaemia and in certain cancers of ovary or testis.
Some solid tumours (e.g. lung, colon, stomach) may occasionally
produce directly very high levels of LDH.
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Request
Form |
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Combined
Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)
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Availability |
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On
request if specific criteria met.
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Specific
Criteria |
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Monitoring of therapy in
lymphoma or leukaemia as a marker of cell proliferation.
LDH may also be used as a marker is some cases of
ovarian and testicular germ cell tumours and assessment
of melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.
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Turnaround
Time |
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4
days
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Specimen |
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Serum
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Volume |
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1
ml
|
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Container |
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Yellow
top (SST) tube
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Collection |
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Haemolysis
will artefactually increase levels.
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Lab.
Handling |
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Aliquot and store at 4C.
(LDH & send; NOLDH & save)
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Causes for
Rejection |
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Unlabelled
sample. Not meeting specific criteria for analysis.
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Reference
Range |
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230
- 460 IU/L
|
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Half-life
in Serum |
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Tumour
marker half-life calculator.
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Interpretation |
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In patients on chemotherapy
who are receiving granulocyte colony stimulating factor,
LDH levels may increase in parallel with white cell
count and should not be taken as evidence of worsening
malignancy.
Increased levels of LDH may occur in a number of benign
conditions including skeletal muscle disease, myocardial
infarction, pernicious anaemia, thalassaemia and
pulmonary embolism.
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