Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test

A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test measures the amount of LDH in the blood.

Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that's used by the body in the process of turning sugar into energy for your cells to use.

LDH is found in many of the body's tissues and organs, including the muscles, liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, brain and blood cells.

The LDH test is mainly used to help identify the location and severity of tissue damage in the body. It's also sometimes used to monitor how far certain conditions have progressed including: 

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• some types of cancer

In the past, LDH was used to help diagnose and monitor a heart attack. However, other tests are now more frequently used to do this.

Read more about the LDH test at Lab Tests Online UK.