Abbreviation for lactic dehydrogenase, a blood test to measure liver function and to detect damage to the heart muscle.

See lactate dehydrogenase.

A blood chemistry study, usually part of a liver panel, useful in assessing liver and pulmonary disease. All tumors produce LDH. Normal range: total LDH levels range from 48 to 115 IU/liter. There are five tissue-specific isoenzymes that can be identified and measured. The distribution of isoenzymes is as follows: LDH1: 18.1% to 29% of the total (heart, red blood cells and kidneys) LDH2: 29.4% to 37.5% of the total (heart, red blood cells and kidneys) LDH3: 18.8% to 26% of the total (lungs) LDH4: 9.2% to 16.5% of the total (liver and skeletal muscles) LDH5: 5.3% to 13.4% of the total (liver and skeletal muscles)

Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that is found in almost all body tissues. Any damaged tissue can leak LDH into the blood, causing an elevated value. When cells are damaged or destroyed, they release LDH into the bloodstream, causing blood levels to rise. For this reason, LDH is used as a general indicator of injury to cells. Small elevations in LDH are usually not significant when other enzyme levels are normal.

Lactate dehydrogenase. One of a group of enzymes found in the blood and other body tissues, and involved in energy production in cells. An increased amount in the blood may be a sign of tissue damage and some types of cancer or other diseases. Also called lactic acid dehydrogenase.

Lactate dehydrogenase . See the entire definition of LDH

(Lactate Dehydrogenase): To investigate damage to liver, cardiac or skeletal muscle