Lactate dehydrogenase

Lactate dehydrogenase or LD is an enzyme present in all cells. The myocardium and skeletal muscles, red blood cells, and liver and kidney tissue contain the largest quantities of the LD enzyme. Lactate dehydrogenase normally exists within cells and is only present in the bloodstream in small quantities. It is released into the bloodstream when tissue cells are damaged or destroyed. For this reason, LD has been used as a general indicator of tissue damage. However, it does not specify which tissue has been damaged or what has caused the damage.

LD occurs in slightly different versions in different types of tissue. The source of the damage can be determined more precisely by measuring the concentrations of the various forms of LD.

When should LD be measured?

LD can be measured as a supplementary test when suspecting damage or a disorder of the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscle, brain, or lungs.

An LD test can be carried out in connection with a muscle injury, diagnosed cancer, fatigue, headaches, tinnitus, or heart palpitations.

What does an LD test measure?

An LD test is carried out when suspecting damage or a disorder of the tissue, particularly in the heart, liver, kidneys, skeletal muscles, brain, or lungs. However, the LD test does not indicate specific tissue damage but requires additional tests. Moreover, LD levels can be checked when monitoring certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukaemia, melanoma, testicular cancer, or ovarian cancer.