Sign in →

Test Code LACTIC.1 LACTIC ACID LEVEL

Methodology

Photometric, Lactate Oxidase/Peroxidase

Serum lactate is usually increased by strenuous muscular exercise or systemic infections. Lactic acidosis results from local tissue hypoxia caused by dehydration, poor perfusion, as a result of circulatory collapse, or cardiac failure. Elevated lactate levels are also seen in metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis or nonketonic acidosis, type I glycogen storage disease, enzyme defects, alcoholism, neoplasia, and toxicity, including salicylate poisoning.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be centrifuged and plasma removed from cells within 15 minutes of draw. Blood should be drawn without the use of a tourniquet (or immediately after the tourniquet is applied).

 

Preferred:

Container/Tube: Grey-top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube(s)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma-Grossly hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.

Collection Instructions: Fasting. Draw blood without using a tourniquet. Tube must be at least half-full. Place specimen on wet ice immediately.

Note: If there is a delay in transport of >15 minutes, spin down, remove plasma from cells, and send on wet ice.

 

Alternate:

Heparinized Plasma

Container/Tube: Green-top (lithium or sodium heparin) tube(s)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma-Grossly hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.

Collection Instructions: Fasting. Draw blood without using a tourniquet. Tube must be at least half-full. Place specimen on wet ice immediately.

Note: If there is a delay in transport of >15 minutes, spin down, remove plasma from cells, and send on wet ice.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

0.7-2.1 mmol/L

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center-Chemistry

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83605

Specimen Transport Temperature

On wet ice