Lab Dept: Chemistry
Test Name: LACTATE
General Information
Lab Order Codes: LACT
Synonyms: Lactic acid
CPT Codes: 83605 – Lactate (lactic acid)
Test Includes: Lactate concentration reported mg/dL.
Logistics
Test Indications: Lactate is produced from pyruvate as an end product of glucose
metabolism that is activated when a deficiency of oxygen leads to an
accumulation of excess NADH. Lactate testing is used for the
evaluation of metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis and dehydration.
Lab Testing Sections: Chemistry
Phone Numbers: MIN Lab: 612-813-6280
STP Lab: 651-220-6550
Test Availability: Daily, 24 hours
Turnaround Time: 30 minutes
Special Instructions: It is recommended that the patient be fasting and rest for 2 hours prior
to specimen draw. See Collection
Specimen
Specimen Type: Whole blood, See Collection
Container: Arterial/Venous draws: Sims Portex® syringe (PB151) or Smooth-E
syringe (956-463) are the preferred syringes for analysis
Capillary draws: Radiometer Clinitubes™(least desirable specimen)
Draw Volume: 0.4 mL blood (arterial/venous), MIN: 0.14 mL (capillary), STP: 0.2 mL
(capillary)
Processed Volume: 0.2 mL (arterial/venous) whole blood
Collection: Arterial punctures are preferred. Venous samples drawn without a
tourniquet will be accepted. Immediately remove all air from the
syringe, cap tightly, mix by gentle inversion, and place in an ice slurry.
Deliver specimens immediately to the lab for analysis.
Capillary samples can be used only when other collection methods are
not available. Collect anaerobically, mix gently 20 times with a magnet,
cap tightly, and place in an ice slurry. Deliver immediately to the
laboratory for analysis.
NOTE: Neonatal samples may be mixed only by gentle inversion due to
red cell fragility.
Special Processing: Lab Staff: Analyze all lactate samples immediately. Do Not centrifuge.
Analysis must occur within 15 minutes of collection. Specimen must be
delivered to testing station on ice in original collection container. Lab
staff responsible for testing should be notified immediately.
Patient Preparation: None
Sample Rejection: Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen; clotted specimen; delay in specimen
testing more than 30 minutes after collection
Interpretive
Reference Range: 4.5 - 19.8 mg/dL
Critical Values: >45 mg/dL
Limitations: Venous specimens drawn with a tourniquet, or capillary specimens may
lead to falsely elevated Lactate levels.
Methodology: Ion Selective Electrode (ISE)
References: ABL800 FLEX Operator’s Manual from software version 6.14,
Publication: 201410, Edition: E, Code number: 994-909,
www.radiometer.com
ABL90 FLEX Operator’s Manual from software version 3.1xx,
Publication 201403, Edition H, Code 995-656
Jacobs & DeMott Laboratory Test Handbook (2001) Lexi-Comp, Inc,
Hudson, OH, 5th Edition
Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry (1999) 3rd Edition, WB Saunders
Company
Updates: 2/17/2005: Critical value previously listed as >40 mEq/L.
5/26/2015: Update to specimen storage. Must be transported on ice,
etc.
