What does the LDH test indicate?

The LDH test measures the levels of lactate dehydrogenase in the blood, which is an enzyme that plays a key role in energy production within cells. When there is tissue damage, whether acute or chronic, LDH is released into the bloodstream, leading to elevated levels. This makes the LDH test a valuable marker for assessing various types of tissue injury. It can indicate conditions such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), liver disease, and certain cancers, among others. The presence of elevated LDH levels is often associated with cell breakdown, which is why it is linked with tissue damage rather than specific diseases, except in the context of the damage itself.

In this context, while the test can be implicated in various conditions, its primary utility lies in its ability to signify that there has been damage to tissues, helping guide further diagnostic processes.