LDHniveaus

LDHniveaus refer to the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood. LDH is a cytosolic enzyme present in many body tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle, brain, and red blood cells. It participates in the interconversion of lactate and pyruvate during cellular energy production, using NAD+/NADH as cofactors. Because LDH is widespread, its blood level is a nonspecific marker of tissue turnover or damage.

LDHniveaus are measured in serum or plasma and reported in units per liter (U/L). Normal reference ranges vary between laboratories due to different methods and populations, but typical adult ranges fall roughly within a broad span around 100–280 U/L. Values may be influenced by age, sex, and laboratory technique. Preanalytical factors, such as sample hemolysis, can falsely elevate LDH levels because red blood cells release LDH when lysed.

Elevated LDHniveaus indicate tissue injury or disease but are not disease-specific. Higher levels can occur in conditions such as hemolysis, myocardial infarction, liver disease, kidney disease, pancreatitis, muscle injuries, infections, and various cancers. Because LDH is present in many tissues, a rise in LDH is most informative when interpreted alongside clinical findings and other laboratory tests. LDH isoenzymes (LDH-1 to LDH-5) can help localize the source of tissue damage, as different tissues have characteristic isoenzyme patterns, though routine testing of isoenzymes is less common today.

In clinical practice, LDHniveaus are often used as a general marker of cellular damage or to monitor disease activity and response to treatment in certain conditions. They are usually assessed as part of a broader metabolic panel rather than as a standalone diagnostic test.