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Test Code LA Lactic Acid, Plasma, LAB95

Important Note

Centrifuge specimens within 15 mins of collection.

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Grey-top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube-Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.

Minimum Specimen Volume: 1.5µL plus required dead volume

Stability: Specimens should be centrifuged and plasma separated from the cells within 15 minutes.  Separated specimens must be analyzed within 8 hours at 15-25 °C. Plasma is stable for 14 days at 2-8°C

Collection Instructions: Lactate levels increase rapidly with physical exercise.

  Allow 30 minutes rest for lactate levels to return to normal before drawing blood.

 

 

Reference Values

0.5-2.2 mmol/L

 

Critical Value:  ≥4.0 mmol/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Useful For

 

Lactate measurements help evaluate acid-base status and are used in the diagnosis and treatment of lactic acidosis (abnormally high acidity in the blood).

The common cause for increased blood lactate and pyruvate is anoxia resulting from such conditions as shock, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  Lactic acidosis may also occur in renal failure and leukemia.  Thiamine deficiency and diabetic ketoacidosis are associated with increased levels of lactate and pyruvate.

 

Methodology

Colorimetric

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83605

Report Available

STAT within 1 hour upon receipt