Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD)
Test Code: 593
CPT Code(s): 83615
Methodology: Spectrophotometry (SP)
Clinical Significance: Elevations in serum lactate dehydrogenase occur from myocardial infarction, liver disease, pernicious and megaloblastic anemia, pulmonary emboli, malignancies, and muscular dystrophy. Since lactic dehydrogenase is present in many body tissues, it's diagnosis usefulness is limited. Tissue specificity may be enhanced by isoenzyme analysis.
Alternative Name(s): LD, LDH (Lactic Dehydrogenase), Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase
Supply: #T157 VACUETTE® Red/Yellow SST 8mL
Preferred Specimen: Serum
Alternate Specimen: Plasma - Sodium heparin (green-top) tube • Plasma - Lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Preferred Volume: 1 mL
Transport Container: Serum Separator Tube (SST)
Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
Specimen Stability:
- Serum
- Room Temperature: 14 days
- Refrigerated: 48 hours
- Frozen: Unacceptable
- Plasma
- Room Temperature: 14 days
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Rejection Criteria:
- Hemolysis
- What are hemolyzed specimens?
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Hemolysis occurs when the red cells are damaged during sample collection causing them to rupture. Hemolyzed serum or plasma is pale pink to red rather than the normal clear straw or pale-yellow color.
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- What causes a specimen to be hemolyzed?
- Mixing tubes too vigorously
- Placing tubes in the refrigerator without allowing 30 minutes at room temperature for complete clotting
- Exposure to heat or in a refrigerator that is too cold
- Using a needle with too small of a bore necessary for the venipuncture
- Using too large a tube when using a butterfly needle
- Not allowing sufficient time for alcohol to dry on puncture site
- Leaving the tourniquet on for longer than one minute
- How can hemolyzed specimens be prevented?
- For routine collections, use a 20–22-gauge needle
- Do not remove the needle from the vein with the vacuum tube engaged
- Do not collect a specimen in a hematoma
- Do not centrifuge the specimen for a prolonged period of time
- Draw the sample gently and evenly
- What are hemolyzed specimens?
- Received frozen
- Anticoagulants other than heparin
- Specimens other than serum
- Unlabeled or improperly labeled specimens
For additional supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Service at (800) 891-2917, option 2.
The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the Payor being billed.