LDH

Alternative names:

lactate dehydrogenase; lactic dehydrogenase

Normal values:

105 to 333 IU/L

Note: IU/L = international units per liter

What abnormal results mean:

Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:

• cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke)
• heart attack
• hemolytic anemia
• hypotension
• infectious mononucleosis
• intestinal ischemia (blood deficiency) and infarction (tissue death)
• liver disease (for example, hepatitis)
• muscle injury
• muscular dystrophy
• neoplastic (new abnormal tissue formation) states
• pancreatitis
• pulmonary infarction (tissue death)

Note: if the LDH level is elevated, the health care provider will often recommend measurement of LDH isoenzymes.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• anemia of B12 deficiency
• megaloblastic anemia
• pernicious anemia