LDH isoenzyme blood test: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme test checks how much of the different types of LDH are in the blood.

T How the Test is Performed
P A blood sample is needed.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P The health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain medicines before the test.
P Drugs that can increase LDH measurements include:
- Anesthetics
- Aspirin
- Clofibrate
- Fluorides
- Mithramycin
- Narcotics
- Procainamide
P DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.

T How the Test will Feel
P When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel slight pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

T Why the Test is Performed
P LDH is an enzyme found in many body tissues such as the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells, and lungs. When body tissue is damaged, LDH is released into the blood.
P The LDH test helps determine the location of tissue damage.
P LDH exists in five forms, which differ slightly in structure.
- LDH-1 is found primarily in heart muscle and red blood cells.
- LDH-2 is concentrated in white blood cells.
- LDH-3 is highest in the lung.
- LDH-4 is highest in the kidney, placenta, and pancreas.
- LDH-5 is highest in the liver and skeletal muscle.
P All of these can be measured in the blood.

T What Abnormal Results Mean
P LDH levels that are higher than normal may suggest:
- Hemolytic anemia
- Hypotension
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Intestinal ischemia (blood deficiency) and infarction (tissue death)
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- Liver disease such as hepatitis
- Lung tissue death
- Muscle injury
- Muscular dystrophy
- Pancreatitis
- Lung tissue death
- Stroke

T Risks
P Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Drawing blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
P Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

T Alternative Names
P LD; LDH; Lactic (lactate) dehydrogenase isoenzymes

T Images
- Blood test

T References
P Carty RP, Pincus MR, Sarafraz-Yazdi E. Clinical enzymology. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2017:chap 20.
P Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) isoenzymes. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:702-703.

T Review Date 2/13/2017
P Updated by: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

