Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

Metabolic / Oncology

Normal Reference Ranges

Adult

140 - 280 U/L

Pediatric

150 - 360 U/L

Clinical Significance

Intracellular enzyme found in almost all tissues. Highly sensitive but completely non-specific marker for tissue damage or high cell turnover.

Causes of High

  • Cellular death/necrosis
  • Hemolysis
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Malignancy (Lymphoma)
  • Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)

Causes of Low

  • Normal finding