$2.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Metabolism & organs
Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) test
Enzyme released from damaged cells in many tissues; can be elevated in hemolysis, tissue injury, and some cancers.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Lactate dehydrogenase, or LD, is an enzyme, a type of protein, found in almost every part of your body. When cells are damaged, more of it can spill into your blood.
Why it matters for women
LD is a broad marker, so on its own it can’t show where in the body a problem is, and it’s read with other tests. In pregnancy, it’s one of the checks for HELLP syndrome, a rare complication that breaks down red blood cells and affects the liver. Hard exercise can also raise it for a short time.
You might check it if…
- a doctor is looking into anemia from red cells breaking down
- another result hinted at liver, muscle or blood cell problems
- a doctor uses it to follow up a known condition
What your result may mean
High Lactate dehydrogenase (LD): what it may mean
High LD (lactate dehydrogenase, also called LDH) may mean cells somewhere in your body have been damaged, since this enzyme can spill from many tissues. It can happen with the breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis), liver disease, cancer, heart events or muscle injury. In pregnancy, it can be one of the checks for HELLP syndrome, a pregnancy emergency, and some gynecologic cancers can raise it. Hard exercise can raise it for a short time, and damaged red cells in the sample can too. On its own, it can't tell where a problem is.
Low Lactate dehydrogenase (LD): what it may mean
Low LD can be harmless, and many people may need no follow-up. LD is a broad marker found in almost every tissue, so a low value can't rule out a specific illness or tell you much about any one organ. Rarely, an inherited shortage of this enzyme can explain a very low value. A clinician may look further only if a low result turns up alongside unusual muscle symptoms or other odd lab findings.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.