What is the significance of lactic acid

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

Abnormal results mean that body tissues are not getting enough oxygen. Clenching the fist or having the elastic band in place for a long time while having blood drawn can result in a false increase in lactic acid level. Odom SR, Talmor D.

What is the meaning of a high lactate? What are the implications of lactic acidosis? Evidence-Based Practice of Critical Care. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Discover World-Changing Science. Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up. Support science journalism.

Knowledge awaits. If lactic acid levels get too high, it can lead to a life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis. A lactic acid test can help diagnose lactic acidosis before it causes serious complications. If meningitis is suspected, the test may also be used to help find out if it is caused by bacteria or a virus. Meningitis is a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord. A test for lactate in cerebrospinal fluid is used with a lactic acid blood test to figure out the type of infection.

You may also need this test if you have symptoms of sepsis or meningitis. Symptoms of sepsis include:. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein or an artery. To take a sample from a vein, the 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 lactic acid levels. Blood from an artery has more oxygen than blood from a vein, so your health care provider may recommend this type of blood test. The sample is usually taken from an artery inside the wrist. During the procedure, your provider will insert a needle with a syringe into the artery.

You may feel a sharp pain as the needle goes into the artery. Once the syringe is filled with blood, your provider will put a bandage over the puncture site. Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected. Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.

Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage. How It Feels The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. Risks There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site.

You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this.

Results A lactic acid test is a blood test that measures the level of lactic acid made in the body. Normal The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. Results are ready in 1 day. Lactic acid footnote 1 Venous blood 0. Blood problems, such as severe anemia or leukemia.

Liver disease or liver damage that prevents the liver from breaking down lactic acid in the blood. Conditions such as severe bleeding, shock , severe infection, heart failure , blockage of blood flow to the intestines, carbon monoxide poisoning , or pulmonary embolism that prevent adequate oxygen from reaching the body's cells.

Extremely strenuous exercise or extreme overheating. Poisoning by alcohol ethanol , wood alcohol methanol , or antifreeze ethylene glycol. Some medicines, such as isoniazid for tuberculosis or metformin Glucophage for diabetes. Lactic acidosis is a concern for people who take metformin to control their diabetes, especially if they have poor kidney function.

What Affects the Test Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: Taking large doses of the medicine epinephrine.