668 lines
41 KiB
HTML
668 lines
41 KiB
HTML
|
||
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" id="lab_test" class="nojs us" data-root="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
|
||
<head>
|
||
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="window-target" content="_top" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/" />
|
||
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-lactato/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="ac-dictionary" content="medlineplus-ac-dictionary" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="description" content="This test measures lactate (also called lactic acids) in your blood. Too much lactic acid can cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" />
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://medlineplus.gov/images/touch-icon.png" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="fb:app_id" content="1042245625821448" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Lactate Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTest_Share2.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share3.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="This test measures lactate (also called lactic acids) in your blood. Too much lactic acid can cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Learn more." />
|
||
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:creator" content="@medlineplus" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Lactate Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="This test measures lactate (also called lactic acids) in your blood. Too much lactic acid can cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Learn more." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://medlineplus.gov/images/LabTests_Share.jpg" />
|
||
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image:alt" content=""/>
|
||
<meta property="og:image:alt" content="" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<title>Lactate Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test</title>
|
||
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/common_new.css?1738957204075" />
|
||
<!--[if IE 8]> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/css/ie8/common.css"> <![endif]-->
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/css/uswds_styles.css" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className = document.getElementsByTagName('html')[0].className.replace( /(?:^|\s)nojs(?!\S)/g , '').trim();</script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds-init.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
|
||
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
|
||
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
|
||
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
|
||
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MMVM77');</script>
|
||
</head>
|
||
|
||
<body>
|
||
|
||
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-MMVM77"
|
||
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden" title="googletagmanager"></iframe></noscript>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a name="top" id="top"></a>
|
||
<a class="hide-offscreen" href="#start">Skip navigation</a>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<section
|
||
class="usa-banner"
|
||
aria-label="Official website of the United States government"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="usa-accordion">
|
||
<header class="usa-banner__header">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__inner">
|
||
<div class="grid-col-auto">
|
||
<img
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
class="usa-banner__header-flag"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/us_flag_small.png"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true">
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-text">
|
||
An official website of the United States government
|
||
</p>
|
||
<p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<button
|
||
type="button"
|
||
class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button"
|
||
aria-expanded="false"
|
||
aria-controls="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
|
||
</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
<div
|
||
class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content"
|
||
id="gov-banner-default-default"
|
||
>
|
||
<div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg">
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-dot-gov.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government
|
||
organization in the United States.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6">
|
||
<img
|
||
class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img"
|
||
src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/img/icon-https.svg"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
alt=""
|
||
aria-hidden="true"
|
||
/>
|
||
<div class="usa-media-block__body">
|
||
<p>
|
||
<strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br />A
|
||
<strong>lock</strong> (
|
||
<span class="icon-lock"
|
||
><svg
|
||
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"
|
||
width="52"
|
||
height="64"
|
||
viewBox="0 0 52 64"
|
||
class="usa-banner__lock-image"
|
||
role="img"
|
||
aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default"
|
||
focusable="false"
|
||
>
|
||
<title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title>
|
||
<desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc>
|
||
<path
|
||
fill="#000000"
|
||
fill-rule="evenodd"
|
||
d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"
|
||
/>
|
||
</svg> </span
|
||
>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to
|
||
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
|
||
secure websites.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-wrap">
|
||
<header>
|
||
<div id="mplus-header">
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-orgs">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" class="nih-org" target="_blank" title="National Institutes of Health">
|
||
<img class="nihlogo" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nihlogo.png" alt="National Institutes of Health"/>
|
||
</a><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/" target="_blank"> National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-logo" class="years-25">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/">
|
||
<img alt="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" title="MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_25.png"/>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav">
|
||
|
||
<div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div>
|
||
<button id="sm-menu-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Menu" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-menu-list" type="submit">Menu<span class="icon icon-nav-menu"></span></button>
|
||
<ul id="mplus-menu-list" class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
</ul><button id="sm-search-btn" class="navmenu-btn" title="Search" role="button" aria-controls="mplus-search" type="submit"><span class="hide-offscreen"></span>Search<span class="icon icon-nav-search"></span></button>
|
||
|
||
<div class="top-1">
|
||
|
||
<form id="mplus-search" method="get" action="https://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta" title="Search MedlinePlus" target="_self">
|
||
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:project" value="medlineplus"/>
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="v:sources" value="medlineplus-bundle"/>
|
||
|
||
<div class="form-box text-combo">
|
||
<div class="form-area"><label class="hide-offscreen" for="searchtext_primary">Search MedlinePlus</label>
|
||
<input id="searchtext_primary" class="form-text" type="text" placeholder="Search MedlinePlus" alt="#Site Search input" title="Site Search input" maxlength="400" size="40" name="query" autocomplete="off" role="textbox" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="true"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="button-area">
|
||
<button class="form-btn" title="Search MedlinePlus" alt="Search MedlinePlus" type="submit">GO</button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
|
||
<div class="secondarynav">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/"><span>About MedlinePlus</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html"><span>Site Map</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="mplus-nav-bar">
|
||
<ul class="nav-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html">Health Topics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html">Drugs & Supplements</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/">Genetics</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/">Medical Tests</a></li><li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/encyclopedia.html">Medical Encyclopedia</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a id="mplus-lang-toggle" href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/pruebas-de-laboratorio/prueba-de-lactato/" title="Español">Español</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
|
||
<div id="mplus-content">
|
||
|
||
<div id="breadcrumbs">
|
||
<div itemprop="breadcrumb" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">
|
||
<span class="hide-offscreen">You Are Here:</span>
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="1"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem">
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Medical Tests</span></a>
|
||
→
|
||
<meta itemprop="position" content="2"/>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div>
|
||
<span>Lactate Test</span>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/</span>
|
||
|
||
<div >
|
||
|
||
<article>
|
||
<div class="page-info">
|
||
<div class="page-title">
|
||
<a name="start" id="start"></a>
|
||
<h1>Lactate Test</h1>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="page-actions"></div>
|
||
<noscript><span class="js-disabled-message">To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.</span></noscript>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="main">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is a lactate test?</h2>
|
||
<p>This test measures the level of lactate, also called lactic acid, in a sample of your blood. In certain cases, <a data-pid="722" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">cerebrospinal fluid</a> (CFS) may be used. Normally, you have low levels of lactate in your blood and CFS. High levels of lactate may be a sign of a wide variety of medical conditions.</p>
|
||
<p>Lactate is mostly made in your muscles and red blood cells when they break down food for energy. Most of the time, your cells use oxygen to break down food for energy. But if your cells can't get enough oxygen, they can switch to another process for making energy that doesn't use oxygen. This backup process makes lactate. Your liver and kidneys turn the lactate into glucose (sugar) that your cells use for energy.</p>
|
||
<p>It's normal to have brief increases in lactate when you're exercising or doing other hard physical work. That's because your body uses more oxygen when you're physically active, which triggers your cells to make energy without oxygen. Usually, your lactate levels decrease quickly when you stop the activity.</p>
|
||
<p>But certain medical conditions can cause a harmful buildup of lactate. If lactate levels get too high, your blood becomes too acidic. This can lead to serious health problems and a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis.</p>
|
||
<p>Many types of conditions can cause lactate buildup. They fall into two main groups:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Conditions that reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to your cells. These are conditions that:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Affect your breathing</li>
|
||
<li>Reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood in your body</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
Examples include:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5717" href="https://medlineplus.gov/shock.html">Shock</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="199" href="https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html">Heart failure</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="484" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lungdiseases.html">Lung diseases</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="139" href="https://medlineplus.gov/anemia.html">Anemia</a></li>
|
||
<li>Severe infection and <a data-tid="3210" href="https://medlineplus.gov/sepsis.html">sepsis</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>Conditions that affect how much oxygen your body uses and disorders that affect <a data-tid="1703" href="https://medlineplus.gov/metabolicdisorders.html">how your body makes energy</a> or gets rid of extra lactate. Examples include:
|
||
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="310" href="https://medlineplus.gov/liverdiseases.html">Liver</a> and <a data-tid="91" href="https://medlineplus.gov/kidneydiseases.html">kidney diseases</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="4" href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html">Diabetes</a> that isn't controlled</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="5620" href="https://medlineplus.gov/leukemia.html">Leukemia</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="6391" href="https://medlineplus.gov/mitochondrialdiseases.html">Mitochondrial disorders</a> that you inherit</li>
|
||
<li>Using certain medicines or being exposed to certain toxins (poisons)</li>
|
||
<li>Very strenuous exercise for a long time, such as running a marathon</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>A lactic acid test can help find high levels of lactic acid before they cause serious health problems But the test cannot diagnose the cause.</p>
|
||
<p>Other names: lactic acid test, lactic acid: plasma, L-lactate</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is it used for?</h2>
|
||
<p>A lactate blood test is most often used to diagnose lactic acidosis and find out how severe it is. It can also help evaluate and monitor many types of medical conditions that may make lactate levels rise.</p>
|
||
<p>If a person appears to have <a data-tid="324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/meningitis.html">meningitis</a>, an infection of the brain and spinal cord, the test may be used to help find out if it is caused by <a data-tid="158" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bacterialinfections.html">bacteria</a> or a <a data-tid="454" href="https://medlineplus.gov/viralinfections.html">virus</a>. Because meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord, both cerebrospinal fluid and blood may be tested.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need a lactate test?</h2>
|
||
<p>You may need a lactate test:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>If you have symptoms of lactic acidosis, such as:
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="3077" href="https://medlineplus.gov/breathingproblems.html">Shortness of breath</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="489" href="https://medlineplus.gov/nauseaandvomiting.html">Nausea and vomiting</a></li>
|
||
<li>Muscle weakness</li>
|
||
<li>Sweating</li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="3061" href="https://medlineplus.gov/abdominalpain.html">Abdominal (belly) pain</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>To find out if your cells are getting enough oxygen</li>
|
||
<li>To find out why you have too much acid in your blood</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>You may also need this test if your health care provider thinks you have signs and symptoms of any of the many conditions that can cause lactic acidosis.</p>
|
||
<p>If you have been diagnosed with high levels of lactate, you may need to have repeated tests to monitor your condition.</p>
|
||
<p>If you have symptoms of meningitis, you may need to have your lactate levels measured in your blood and your cerebrospinal fluid. Symptoms of meningitis include:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Severe <a data-tid="273" href="https://medlineplus.gov/headache.html">headache</a></li>
|
||
<li><a data-tid="511" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fever.html">Fever</a></li>
|
||
<li>Stiff neck</li>
|
||
<li>Sensitivity to light</li>
|
||
</ul></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during a lactate test?</h2>
|
||
<p>A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein or an artery. Blood from an artery may provide more accurate results than blood from a vein, so your provider may recommend this type of blood test, which is called an <a data-pid="788" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/arterial-blood-gas-abg-test/">arterial blood gas (ABG) test</a>.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>To take a blood sample from a vein</strong>, a health care professional will insert a small needle into your arm. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. Make sure you don't clench your fist during the test, as this can temporarily raise lactate levels.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>To take a blood sample from an artery</strong>, a provider will usually use an artery inside the wrist. But the sample may be taken from an artery in your arm or groin. For a newborn, the sample may be taken from the baby's heel or the umbilical cord shortly after birth.</p>
|
||
<p>If your blood sample is taken from your wrist, the provider will first test your blood circulation. The provider will hold your wrist and apply pressure to the arteries to cut off blood flow to your hand for several seconds. Then the provider will let go of your wrist to check how quickly blood flow returns to your hand. If your blood flow is normal, the provider will collect a blood sample.</p>
|
||
<p>A blood sample taken from an artery tends to be more uncomfortable than most blood tests, which use a vein. So, the provider may apply some numbing medicine to your skin first. The provider will insert a needle with a syringe into the artery to remove some blood.</p>
|
||
<p>When the syringe is full, the provider will bandage the puncture site. Pressure will be applied to the site for at least 5 minutes to stop the bleeding.</p>
|
||
<p>If meningitis is suspected, your provider may also take a <a data-pid="722" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">sample of your cerebrospinal fluid</a> in a procedure called a spinal tap or lumbar puncture. This is usually done in a hospital.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
|
||
<p>Your provider will tell you how to prepare for your test. Your provider may tell you to:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Avoid exercise for several hours before the test. That's because exercise can cause a temporary increase in lactate levels.</li>
|
||
<li><a data-pid="858" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fasting-for-a-blood-test/">Fast</a> (not eat or drink) for 8 to 10 hours before the test.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test? </h2>
|
||
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p>
|
||
<p>After a blood test from an artery, you may have some bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the spot where the needle was put in. Very rarely, the needle may damage a nerve or the artery. You may be told to avoid lifting heavy objects for 24 hours after the test.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
|
||
<p>The results of a lactate test can only show whether you have abnormal levels of lactate. They can't tell what's causing the problem.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>A high level of lactate in a blood sample</strong> usually means you have either hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>Hyperlactatemia</strong> means your level of lactate is staying mildly or moderately high, but the acidity of your blood (pH) is still within a normal range. If lactate continues to build up, hyperlactatemia can become lactic acidosis.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Lactic acidosis</strong> means that your lactate level is high enough to make your blood is too acidic, and it is staying high. Lactic acidosis is more serious than hyperlactatemia and needs to be treated right away.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>Treatment for high levels of lactate depends on the condition that's causing the lactate to build up in your blood. Your provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests to diagnose the cause.</p>
|
||
<p><strong>If you had a lactate test using cerebrospinal fluid:</strong></p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><strong>High levels</strong> of lactate mean you probably have bacterial meningitis.</li>
|
||
<li><strong>Normal or slightly high levels</strong> of lactate mean you probably have viral meningitis.</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p><strong>Low levels of lactate</strong> are rare and not considered to be a medical concern.</p>
|
||
<p>If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.</p>
|
||
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Is there anything else I need to know about a lactate test?</h2>
|
||
<p>Certain medicines may cause high lactate levels, such as:</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li>Metformin, a medicine for <a data-tid="5930" href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetestype2.html">type 2 diabetes</a></li>
|
||
<li>Aspirin</li>
|
||
<li>Certain medicines to treat <a data-tid="1" href="https://medlineplus.gov/hiv.html">HIV</a> called NRTIs</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>If you're concerned about how these medicines may affect your risk for lactic acidosis, talk with your provider.</p></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
|
||
<ol>
|
||
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2023. Body Systems & Organs: Lactic Acid; [reviewed 2022 Dec 19; cited 2023 May 12]; [about 13 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24521-lactic-acid" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24521-lactic-acid</a></li>
|
||
<li>Foucher CD, Tubben RE. Lactic Acidosis. [Updated 2022 Jul 18; cited 2023 May 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470202/#_article-24002_s8 _" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470202/#_article-24002_s8 _</a></li>
|
||
<li>Gunnerson KJ. Lactic Acidosis. [updated 2020, Sep 11; cited 2023 May 12]. In: Medscape: Drugs & Diseases: Endocrinology [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): WebMD LLC; c1994-2023. Available from: <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/167027-overview#a4" target="bibliowin">https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/167027-overview#a4</a></li>
|
||
<li>HIVinfo [Internet]. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; HIV and Lactic Acidosis; [updated 2021 Aug 10; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 2 pages]. Available from: <a href="https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-lactic-acidosis" target="bibliowin">https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-lactic-acidosis</a></li>
|
||
<li>Mayo Clinic: Mayo Medical Laboratories [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1995-2022. Test ID: LACS1: Lactate, Plasma; [cited 2023 May 12]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/601685#Clinical-and-Interpretive" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/601685#Clinical-and-Interpretive</a></li>
|
||
<li>Pathology Tests Explained [Internet]. Alexandria (Australia): Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine; c2023. Lactate; [Reviewed 2022 Oct 11; cited 2023 May 12]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/learning/test-index/lactate#thetest" target="bibliowin">https://pathologytestsexplained.org.au/learning/test-index/lactate#thetest</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Lactate Test; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/lactate/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/lactate/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Procalcitonin (PCT) Test; [modified 2020 Dec 21; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 9 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/procalcitonin/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/procalcitonin/</a></li>
|
||
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2023. Shock; [cited 2023 May 17]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/glossary/#shock" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/glossary/#shock</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Lactic acidosis: Overview; [reviewed 2020 Oct 11; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/lactic-acidosis" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/lactic-acidosis</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Blood gases: Overview; [reviewed 2020 Aug 3; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/blood-gases" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/blood-gases</a></li>
|
||
<li>UF Health: University of Florida Health [Internet]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Health; c2023. Lactic acid test: Overview; [reviewed 2019 Apr 29; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://ufhealth.org/lactic-acid-test" target="bibliowin">https://ufhealth.org/lactic-acid-test</a></li>
|
||
<li>UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2023. Health Information: Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) Test; [updated 2022 Sep 8; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw2343" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw2343</a></li>
|
||
<li>UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2023. Health Information: Lactic Acid; [updated 2022 Sep 8; cited 2023 May 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw7871" target="bibliowin">https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthwise/article/en-us/hw7871</a></li>
|
||
</ol></div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="side">
|
||
<aside>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Health Topics</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetesmedicines.html">Diabetes Medicines</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html">Heart Failure</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/hivmedicines.html">HIV Medicines</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/meningitis.html">Meningitis</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sepsis.html">Sepsis</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/shock.html">Shock</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="side-section">
|
||
<div class="section-header">
|
||
<h2>Related Medical Tests</h2>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="section-body">
|
||
<ul class="relatedmp">
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/arterial-blood-gas-abg-test/">Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-analysis/">Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fasting-for-a-blood-test/">Fasting for a Blood Test</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-cope-with-medical-test-anxiety/">How to Cope with Medical Test Anxiety</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">How to Understand Your Lab Results</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/what-you-need-to-know-about-blood-testing/">What You Need to Know About Blood Testing</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div></section>
|
||
|
||
</aside>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="bottom">
|
||
|
||
<section><div class="lt-disclaimer">
|
||
<p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div id="citation-how-to">
|
||
<button><span>Learn how to cite this page</span></button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<footer>
|
||
<div id="mplus-footer">
|
||
<div class="footer1">
|
||
|
||
<ul class="secondarynav">
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/">About MedlinePlus</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/whatsnew/">What's New</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sitemap.html">Site Map</a></li>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://support.nlm.nih.gov/knowledgebase/category/?id=CAT-01231&category=medlineplus&from=https%3A//medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-test/" target="_blank"><span>Customer Support</span></a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<ul class="follow-footer">
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rss.html" class="follow-item">Subscribe to RSS<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/feed.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="RSS" title="RSS"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<span class="follow-label">Follow us</span>
|
||
<a href="https://twitter.com/medlineplus" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_twitter.png" class="follow-icon" alt="X" title="X">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://facebook.com/Mplus.gov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_share_fb.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Facebook" title="Facebook">
|
||
</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mplusgov/" class="follow-item" target="_blank">
|
||
<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Instagram_Glyph_Gradient_RGB.png" class="follow-icon" alt="Instagram" title="Instagram">
|
||
</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li>
|
||
<a href="https://medlineplus.gov/social-media-toolkit/" class="social-media-toolkit-item">Social Media Toolkit<img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/i_social_media_toolkit.png" class="social-media-toolkit-icon" alt="Social Media Toolkit" title="Social Media Toolkit"></a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="footer2">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<li><a href=" https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html" target='_blank'>NLM Web Policies</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/usingcontent/" >Copyright</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/using/criteria/">Guidelines for Links</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/plugins.html">Viewers & Players</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" target="_blank">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/medlineplus-connect/">MedlinePlus Connect for EHRs</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/about/developers/">For Developers</a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<div class="address">
|
||
<a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Library of Medicine</a>
|
||
<span>8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894</span>
|
||
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="date">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span id="lastupdate">Last updated January 3, 2024</span>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="return-top"><a href="#top" title="Return to top"><img class="return-top-icon" alt="Return to top" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/return-top.png"></a></div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/jquery-3.6.0.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-frontend-controls-new.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/mplus-share.js?id=1112022" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 9]><script src="//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/jslib/jquery.placeholder.js" type="text/javascript"></script><![endif]-->
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/jslib/control.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://medlineplus.gov/uswds/js/uswds.min.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script type='application/ld+json'>{
|
||
"@context": "http://schema.org",
|
||
"@type": "MedicalWebPage",
|
||
"headline": "Lactate Test",
|
||
"description": "This test measures the level of lactate, also called lactic acid, in a sample of your blood. In certain cases, cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) may be used. Normally, you have low levels of lactate in your blood and CFS. High levels of lactate may be a sign of a wide variety of medical conditions. Lactate is mostly made in your muscles and red blood cells when they break down food for energy. Most of the time, your cells use oxygen to break down food for energy. But if your cells can't get enough oxygen, they can switch to another process for making energy that doesn't use oxygen. This backup process makes lactate. Your liver and kidneys turn the lactate into glucose (sugar) that your cells use for energy. It's normal to have brief increases in lactate when you're exercising or doing other hard physical work. That's because your body uses more oxygen when you're physically active, which triggers your cells to make energy without oxygen. Usually, your lactate levels decrease quickly when you stop the activity. But certain medical conditions can cause a harmful buildup of lactate. If lactate levels get too high, your blood becomes too acidic. This can lead to serious health problems and a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Many types of conditions can cause lactate buildup. They fall into two main groups: Conditions that reduce the amount of oxygen that gets to your cells. These are conditions that: Affect your breathing; Reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood in your body; Examples include: Shock; Heart failure; Lung diseases; Anemia; Severe infection and sepsis; ; Conditions that affect how much oxygen your body uses and disorders that affect how your body makes energy or gets rid of extra lactate. Examples include: Liver and kidney diseases; Diabetes that isn't controlled; Leukemia; Mitochondrial disorders that you inherit; Using certain medicines or being exposed to certain toxins (poisons); Very strenuous exercise for a long time, such as running a marathon; ; A lactic acid test can help find high levels of lactic acid before they cause serious health problems But the test cannot diagnose the cause. Other names: lactic acid test, lactic acid: plasma, L-lactate",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactic-acid-test/",
|
||
"publisher": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Library of Medicine",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nlm.nih.gov",
|
||
"brand": {
|
||
"@type": "Brand",
|
||
"name": "MedlinePlus",
|
||
"description": "MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. It is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov",
|
||
"logo": {
|
||
"@type": "ImageObject",
|
||
"url": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/m_logo_primary.png"
|
||
}
|
||
},
|
||
"parentOrganization": {
|
||
"@type": "Organization",
|
||
"legalName": "National Institutes of Health",
|
||
"url": "https://www.nih.gov"
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
}</script>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|