Lactate concentration in serum or plasma
This test measures the amount of lactate, a substance produced when your body uses sugar for energy, especially in conditions like low oxygen levels or certain illnesses.
["Lactate levels help doctors check how well your body is handling oxygen and energy use, particularly in emergencies or severe health conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 44744-1
- Short code
- LACV Ab Ser Ql IF
- Synonyms
- LACV Ab Ser Ql IF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- if
- 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?
Doctors may order this test to evaluate conditions like shock, heart or lung problems, seizures, or metabolic disorders. It can also be used during surgery or in intensive care to monitor how well your body is responding to treatment.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed. You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test if it’s done on an empty stomach, but this depends on your doctor’s instructions. Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm.
What Happens During the Test?
A healthcare professional will clean the area with an antiseptic, insert a small needle into your vein, and collect a blood sample. The process usually takes a few minutes and may cause a brief sting. The sample is then sent to a lab for testing.
What Are the Results Mean?
Results are compared to what is expected for healthy individuals. High lactate levels may indicate poor oxygen delivery, infections, or other serious conditions. Low levels might suggest certain metabolic issues or overcorrection of acidity in the blood.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated lactate levels are a critical marker for conditions like lactic acidosis, which can be life-threatening. It helps doctors assess the severity of illnesses such as heart failure, severe infections, or conditions causing poor blood flow. Monitoring lactate is especially important in patients undergoing surgery or in critical care settings where oxygen supply can be unstable.
Short name
Serum/Lactate
Frequently asked questions
What causes high lactate levels?
What causes low lactate levels?
How often is this test repeated?
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