Serum Lactate Concentration (Quantitative)
This test measures the amount of lactate, a substance produced when your body breaks down carbohydrates for energy, in your blood serum. It helps assess how well your body is handling oxygen and energy production.
["Lactate levels can indicate metabolic health and potential issues like low oxygen or organ dysfunction."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 104075-7
- Short code
- Gas & Lactate pnl BldV
- Synonyms
- Gas & Lactate pnl BldV
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Critical range
- — – 4 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to check for conditions affecting how your body uses oxygen, such as heart or lung problems, severe infections, or poor circulation. It can also be used during surgery or critical care to monitor how well your body is responding to treatment.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test if it’s part of a broader metabolic evaluation. Bring any medications you’re taking to your appointment.
How the Test Is Performed
A blood sample is drawn from a vein, usually in your arm, by a healthcare professional. The blood is then sent to a lab for analysis to measure lactate concentration.
What the Results Mean
Results are typically reported as a concentration value (e.g., millimoles per liter). High levels may suggest conditions like sepsis, heart failure, or severe dehydration, while very low levels might indicate unusual metabolic processes or errors in measurement.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: Elevated lactate levels often point to tissue hypoxia (low oxygen) or metabolic disturbances, such as lactic acidosis, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Low levels may be less common but could indicate rare metabolic disorders or errors in test interpretation. Always discuss results with your provider for personalized interpretation.
Short name
Serum Lactate
Frequently asked questions
What causes elevated lactate levels?
What does a normal range mean for me?
Can lifestyle changes affect lactate levels?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy