The enzyme Lactate dehydrogenase is an important marker of tissue and cell damage in the body. While it is normal to have LDH in the body because the body produces it, a high level of LDH indicates internal cell damage. Cell damage and irregularities in cell growth patterns are associated with the possibility of cancer. The LDL test is done to estimate the risk of cancer.
The LDH test is usually done with a blood sample, but it can also be done on a CSF sample or tissue sample collected from the chest or abdomen. The LDH test is done along with other tests to see if there are possibilities of diseases including cancer. The test is also done to monitor the progress of diseases like cancer and see if the treatment is working.
What is the purpose of the LDH test?
The LDH test is done for the following reasons-
- Detection of cancer
It is done to estimate the severity of cancer. The test helps know LDH levels and see how high they are. If they are very high, it indicates advanced cancer.
- Fluid levels
There is a certain fluid level in the body that should be maintained. However, when the body is infected or injured, the fluid level of the body rises. The LDH level shows if you have an abnormal fluid collection in your body.
- Cell damage
The test for LDH is done to estimate the cell damage caused by the disease and monitor the disease during treatment.
What is LDH?
LDH is a protein found in blood to an extent. It is an enzyme that plays a major role in the energy production of the body. The protein is distributed in different parts of the body and is mostly found in red blood cells, the heart, lungs, and kidneys. However, its level increases in body parts affected by lymphoma and myeloma.
As new cells are formed in the tissues, older cells are killed. This process leads to the release of LDH. Therefore, the release of LDH into the blood is very natural. However, when a person suffers from cancer, there is extensive tissue damage and cell death. The high-scale tissue damage and cell death can lead to the release of LDH at an increased rate. LDH levels are during cancer and any disease that causes extensive cell injury. The LDL test looks for isozymes of LDH that might be present in the blood.
When does the doctor suggest an LDH test?
LDH tests could be recommended in different situations. For example, the LDH test could be suggested for the following conditions –
- Anaemia
A deficiency of iron and red blood cells can cause a rise in LDH levels which might come across in the LDH tests.
- Kidney diseases
Kidney diseases and injury to the kidney also lead to an increase in LDH levels as it triggers cell death.
- Liver diseases
Diseases of the liver are also very common causes of spiked-up levels of LDH enzyme.
- Muscle injury
Any muscle injury during an accident or strenuous exercise can cause the death of muscle cells, which is the reason for high LDH levels.
- Surgical procedures
After an operation, LDH levels stay high until recovery and tissue repair are complete.
- Heart attack
During a heart attack, some of the muscles of the heart die, which leads to a higher accumulation of LDH enzymes.
- Certain types of cancer
During cancers such as lymphoma and myeloma, the cells release LDH at a higher rate which can cause a rise in the enzyme level around these cells.
What are the types of LDH isozymes?
There are five types of LDH in the blood and tissues.
LDH 1 & 2 are found in the blood and heart. LDH 3 is found in Lymph tissues and lungs, platelets, and pancreas, whereas LDH 4 and 5 are found in the liver and skeletal muscle.
Range of LDH and results
LDH levels vary among individuals depending on age and health. LDH levels are higher in infants and children than in adults. The unit LDH level is units per litre. For a child between the age of 0 to 10 days, the level of LDH is 290–2000 U/L. For children in the age group of 10 days to 2 years, the normal LDH level is 180–430 U/L.
For people above 12 years of age and adults, the normal LDH level is 100–190 U/L. Any fluctuation in the normal LDH levels can be a sign of health issues. However, low LDH levels are very rare, while higher LDH levels indicate the body is suffering from tissue damage or cancer.
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