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Test Code Billings Clinic: 5382 LDH, Pleural Fluid

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory:  Chemistry

Useful For

To evaluate whether the accumulation of fluid is due to injury and inflammation (exudate) or due to an imbalance of pressure within blood vessels and the amount of protein in the blood (transudate).

Methodology

L-Lactate/NAD to NADH/ Calibrated/ 37°C / bichromatic rate

Specimen Requirements

  • Draw pleural fluid in a plain, red-top tube or other suitable container.
  • Specimen type (fluid type/description) for each tube/container is required on request form for processing.
  • Properly label (fluid type/description) each tube/container submitted.
  • Send refrigerated

 

Storage/Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Pleural Fluid Refrigerated 4 days

 

Reject Due To

  • Specimen received in EDTA, sodium fluoride, or potassium oxalate

Reference Values

Interpretive Remark:

Elevated LDH in pleural fluid is consistent with exudative effusions. LDH activity may be falsely elevated in samples that contain blood due to trauma during collection.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

83615 - Lactate dehydrogenase (LD), (LDH)

LOINC Code Information

Reporting Name LOINC Code
LDH, Pleural Fluid 60022-1