Lactate details
What Lactate shows
Lactate is produced when your cells break down glucose for energy, especially when oxygen is in short supply. It is normally cleared by the liver. This test measures lactate in plasma to help look at whether your tissues are getting enough oxygen and how well your body is clearing lactate. A higher level can occur with intense exercise, severe infection or sepsis, shock, heart or lung problems, liver disease, some medicines, and certain inherited metabolic conditions. Low levels are generally not a concern. Results are very sensitive to collection, as a tight tourniquet, clenching your fist, or delays in processing can raise lactate, so it is interpreted in clinical context.
Tests that include Lactate
Lactic acid is the endproduct of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. The blood lactic acid concentration is affected by its production in muscle cells and erythrocytes and its rate of metabolism in the liver. During exercise, blood lactate can increase up to ten times of normal levels.
- Lactate Measures lactate (lactic acid) in plasma, a product of energy metabolism used to look for low oxygen delivery to tissues and other metabolic stress.
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