LDG - what is it? The reasons for the increase in LDH

Modern medicine does not stand still, but continues to evolve with each passing day. A variety of tests are used to diagnose various diseases. It is difficult for a common person to understand all their names. Take, for example, LDG. What it is, is not known to every philistine, and yet this method of research doctors use often enough. What diseases can be diagnosed with the help of LDH analysis, what threatens its elevated or lowered level in the blood. Let's understand.

What is LDH

First, you need to understand what is hidden under the incomprehensible, at first glance, abbreviation LDG. Lactate dehydrogenase is a special enzyme, without which the processes of glucose oxidation and the production of lactic acid are impossible. In the body of an adult this substance is not capable of accumulating. Thanks to natural processes, it is destroyed and eliminated. However, there are some diseases that are characterized by elevated LDH levels in the blood. This occurs in cases where tissue or body cells are damaged. That is why LDG is a very important marker, with which help diagnose.

Types of LDH

What is it, we have already figured out, but you need to clarify some of the features of this enzyme. As you know, it has five forms, which differ from each other only in the structure of the cells. In addition, each of these types is concentrated in separate organs.

Modifications of the enzyme LDH are called isoenzymes. So, distinguish:

• LDH 1 - predominates in the tissues of the brain and the heart muscles.
• LDH 2 - it contains blood cells (erythrocytes, platelets) and liver.
• LDH 3 - is contained in the muscles of the skeleton, in the pancreas and thyroid gland, as well as in the tissues of such organs as the lungs, adrenals and spleen.
• LDH 4 - predominates in the same organs as LDH 3, and in addition, in the reproductive cells of men, placenta, liver and granulocytes.
• LDH 5 - the most of this isoenzyme is found in the tissues of skeletal muscle and liver, but, in addition, it is present in the same organs as LDH 4.

Norm

So, we figured out what LDH is. The norm of this enzyme is different in adults and toddlers, as well as in men and women. Let's start with what indicators are considered normal for children.

• On the first day of life, the concentration of the enzyme should be 22.1 μkat / l.
• The next four days it increases to the level of 28.9.
• From the week of age and up to six months, LDH levels decrease. The rate is 16.3 μkat / l.
• The next 6 months of life level again slightly increases, this time to the level of 18.3.
• After the performance of one year and up to three years, LDH in children should be 14.2 μkat / l.
• Since the age of seven, the rates for different sexes are beginning to differ. For boys, the level should normally be 12.7 mc / l, and for girls - 9.67.
• After thirteen years, the enzyme index is at a stable level of 11.4 in boys and in adult males. In girls and women, this rate is somewhat reduced and during life is 7.27 μkat / l.

LDH of blood. What is it?

As already mentioned, this is an excellent marker for diagnosing various problems of the body. But what is the biochemical analysis of LDH? This is a method of studying the blood, with which you can determine how much lactate dehydrogenase is contained in the blood. When is the need for such an analysis?

Indications for conduction

LDH is carried out when there is a suspicion that organs or their systems have been injured. It is tissue damage that provokes an increase in the level of such an enzyme in the blood. Especially it concerns the tissues of the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, muscles of the skeleton.

If suspected melanoma is also carried out LDH blood. What does it mean? The matter is that this analysis allows to reveal metastases in organs and lymph nodes. This method of research in melanoma can not be called specific, but it allows you to monitor the patient's condition in the postoperative period, as well as determine the stage of development of the tumor. In addition, in the case of effective therapy, the enzyme level in the blood decreases, so this marker is used to determine the dynamics of treatment.

Preparation for the analysis

Before the analysis, the patient must prepare for it. Most likely, the doctor will advise you to refrain from taking certain medications, since they can affect the accuracy of LDH results. What is it, we have already determined. However, what means can not be taken three days before the analysis? These include: aspirin, anesthetics, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), mitromycin, clofibrate, procainamide, fluorides. Also, you should refrain from alcohol, as it is able to increase the level of the enzyme studied.

How is the analysis done

Blood sampling in adults is carried out from the vein at the site of the arm bend with the help of a special needle. In order to take material from children or infants, use a lancet. In addition to the vein, the doctor can take blood from the earlobe, thumb or heel. The site of the fence is processed, and after the procedure, a pressure bandage is applied to it. After the procedure, there may be minor pain.

Blood samples are placed in a test tube or on a slide. In the laboratory, the collected material is placed in a special centrifuge, with the help of which serum is released from it. Thus, the level of the enzyme in the blood is determined.

We already talked about what the values should be. The amount of enzyme can be either increased or decreased. What can contribute to this?

Causes of elevated LDH levels

If the results of the tests indicate an increase in LDH, it is necessary to look for the cause of this phenomenon. A high level of it indicates that there was a defeat of any tissue. If the results show an increase in the number of more than one isoenzyme, but several, this may indicate that there are a number of disorders in the body. It happens that the results of the tests indicate an increase in the level of all five types of LDH. In this case, we can talk about multiple organ failure.

However, the diagnosis can not be made, relying solely on the level of LDH. A blood test for a change in the number of isoenzymes helps, more likely, in its refinement. Despite this, specialists need to know which organs to pay attention first, if LDH is elevated. The reasons can be as follows:

• Stroke.
• Myocardial infarction. In this case, the level can rise for 36-55 hours after the attack. The increased amount of enzyme is retained for 3-10 days.
• A pulmonary infarction. His first symptoms are chest pain. At the same time, the level of the enzyme rises.
• Infarction of the intestine.
• Kidney infarction, pyelonephritis.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Liver pathologies also cause increased LDH levels. What does it mean? First of all, the amount of this enzyme increases with cirrhosis, changes in tissues due to alcoholism, and acute viral hepatitis.
• Oncological diseases are also accompanied by an increase in LDH levels.
• Diseases of the blood provoke hemolysis.
• LDH is also a marker for acute pancreatitis.
• Hypoxia, hypothermia, hyperthermia.
• Lymphoma.
• Mononucleosis, which developed as a result of infection.
• Viral meningitis. An increase in LDH levels indicates that encephalitis develops.
• Dystrophy, muscle atrophy, their trauma.
• Traumatic shock.
• Cracks and fractures of bones.
• Multiple burns.
• Convulsive seizures.
• Alcoholic or narcotic delirium.
• Eclampsia.
• For some pregnant women, elevated LDH levels are normal. For others, such analysis results may indicate abruption of the placenta. In any case, an increase in the LDH norm is an occasion to consult a doctor.

As already mentioned, an elevated level of one or more isoenzymes of LDH can not in itself testify to one of the aforementioned diseases. It is necessary to conduct other studies. It is necessary to determine the activity of this or that isoenzyme. Then it will be possible to talk about the localization of the problem.

For example, a high level of isoenzymes 4 and 5 LDH was detected. What it is? Most likely, there was a lesion of muscle tissue or liver. But to be convinced of this, it is necessary to determine the functional tests of the diseased organ.

Thus, the result of LDH analysis can only be considered in conjunction with other studies. It is also important to monitor the dynamics of this process, as it plays an important role in determining pathological processes.

Low LDH

Sometimes the results of tests may show a decrease in LDH levels in the blood. This is a rare case, which indicates that the body is very actively splits glucose and receives energy from it for cells, mostly muscle cells.

Reduced LDH levels are also possible with gene mutations. Perhaps only two of their kind. People who are diagnosed with the first type will feel fatigue and muscle weakness. Mutations of the second kind do not have any symptoms. To reduce the level of LDH can also lead to excessive intake of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).