Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)

Overview:

Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme involved in energy production and is present in nearly every tissue in the body, including the liver, heart, muscle, kidneys and red blood cells. When cells are damaged, it leaks into the bloodstream. Because it is so widely distributed, a raised level shows that damage is occurring somewhere without indicating where, which limits its usefulness on its own. It is used as a general marker, in assessing hemolysis where red cells are breaking down, and in monitoring certain cancers. A sample that is handled roughly can raise the result artificially.

Categories:

Liver, Heart

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker