LDH, a cell-turnover enzyme Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
An enzyme found in almost every cell, released when cells break open.
Also printed asLDH · LD
What it measures
An enzyme present in almost every cell, released whenever cells break down.
Non-specific by design: it confirms that something is turning over quickly without saying what.
Why it matters for how long you stay well
It is sensitive to cell turnover almost anywhere in the body but points nowhere in particular, so it earns its place only alongside the rest of the panel.
How it shows up in daily life
A sample that was shaken or sat too long before testing can raise this on its own, so a mildly high number often means nothing.
High and low readings
When it reads high
Tissue turnover somewhere: muscle, red cells or liver.
When it reads low
Low is fine.
What moves it
Daily life
- hard exercise
- how the sample was handled at the lab
- recent illness
Common questions
What does Lactate Dehydrogenase measure?
An enzyme present in almost every cell, released whenever cells break down. Non-specific by design: it confirms that something is turning over quickly without saying what.
What does a high LDH result usually mean?
Tissue turnover somewhere: muscle, red cells or liver.
What does a low LDH result usually mean?
Low is fine.
What is the usual reference range for LDH?
A broad adult reference band is 120–250 U/L. Labs differ, so read your result against the band printed on your own report.
Educational only, not a diagnosis. A single number means little without your history and the rest of your panel, so discuss your own results with your physician.
Typical adult reference band
- Adults
- 120–250 U/L
Labs differ. The band printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result.
Reported in U/L
Ageing relevance
2/5
Relevant to the ageing of one organ, or to disease screening.
Worth knowing
It sits in nearly every cell in your body, which makes it sensitive but almost never specific.
Have a report with this marker on it? Read it in context.
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