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Test Code LAB730 Lactic Acid, Whole Blood

Important Note

Inpatient only, for outpatients order LAB95 Lactic Acid Plasma

Reporting Title

Lactic Acid, Whole Blood

Methodology

Radiometer - RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, HMH, MGH

Increased lactic acid my be caused by anoxia due to shock, pneumonia, or congestive heart failure. It is also associated with renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, and leukemia.

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, MGH, HMH Core Laboratories

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 MINUTES of draw.

Draw blood in a small Dark Green top lithium heparin tube without gel or a large sodium heparin green tube without gel  Submit whole blood  Specimen should be drawn from a stasis-free vein, if possible, or within 30 seconds of applying a tourniquet. 

 

Note

1. Exercise increases lactate levels. Thirty minutes of rest is sufficient to return to normal levels.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Frozen: NO

Refrigerate: OK

Ambient: 30 MINUTES

Reference Values

0.6-2.0 mmol/L

Critical values >4.0 mmol/L

Alerting category:  Always called within 1 hour 

 

Note:  Dopamine, levodopa, and methyldopa may falsely reduce lactate levels depending on their levels. Glycolate (a metabolite of ethylene glycol) with falsely elevate results.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83605