Lactate Dehydrogenase Ascitic Fluid

This test is used to evaluate the levels of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase present in the ascitic fluid. The lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme used during the process of converting sugar into energy within the cells. The change in concentrations of LDH may suggest possible trauma to the abdomen, malignancies, pancreatic, liver or kidney diseases etc.

What is lactate dehydrogenase?

Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme present in many organs and tissues throughout the body, like liver, heart, kidneys, skeletal muscles, lymph tissues, and blood. This enzyme is useful in the production of energy from glucose within the cells. The LDH concentrations in the body fluids like CSF, peritoneal, pleural, pericardial etc may change during illness or damage to the cells or the surrounding tissues and can be used to diagnose the severity or the type of illness.

What is Ascitic fluid?

The protein-containing fluid present within the abdomen is called as ascitic fluid. The condition in which excess of ascitic fluid is accumulated within the abdominal cavity is called ascites. This condition may be usually caused in diseases or conditions like liver cirrhosis, bacterial or fungal infections of the abdomen (peritonitis), advanced stages of cancer, liver or kidney failure, intestinal obstruction or ischemia etc. This fluid fills the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs.

Why is this test performed?

This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, fever, diarrhea, low urine output, fatigue, sudden weight gain, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, etc. This test may be specially performed to check if there are any bacterial or fungal infections or not.

This test is recommended to patients suffering from diseases or conditions like bacterial or viral peritonitis, pancreatic and liver diseases, sepsis, shock, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes etc. This test may also be recommended to evaluate the progress of the treatment or to evaluate the condition of the patient.

If your lactate dehydrogenase ascitic fluid test results are higher than the normal range then it may indicate the presence of bacterial or fungal peritonitis, alcohol consumption, cancer or tumors in abdominal region or organs, stomach or intestinal ulcers etc.

If your lactate dehydrogenase ascitic fluid test results are lower than the normal range then it may indicate the presence of Kidney disease, Pancreatic diseases, Liver failure, Cystic fibrosis etc.

Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests, etc.