LDH
Background
- Lactate dehydrogenase; ubiquitous intracellular enzyme found in nearly all tissues
- Non-specific marker of tissue damage or cell turnover
Normal Values
- Normal: 140-280 U/L
Interpretation
- Elevated in hemolysis, malignancy, hepatic disease, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, rhabdomyolysis, and many other conditions
- Part of hemolysis workup (elevated LDH + low haptoglobin + elevated indirect bilirubin + reticulocytosis)
- Useful in Light's criteria for differentiating transudative vs exudative pleural effusions
- Markedly elevated in tumor lysis syndrome and thrombotic microangiopathies (TTP/HUS)