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What Is Serum Lactate?

B. Chisholm
B. Chisholm

Serum lactate refers to the amount of lactic acid in the blood. It is a useful marker used by doctors to establish hyperlactatemia. This may be due to severe sepsis, septic shock, or as a reaction to drugs, such as some antiretrovirals. Lactic acid levels also increase after exercise, but then return to normal in healthy individuals. It is measured by taking a blood sample, using a very specific technique.

The body's energy needs are mainly met by aerobic metabolism, which requires oxygen. If there is a lack of oxygen in the body, it reverts to anaerobic metabolism, of which lactic acid is a by-product. This may, in turn, lead to lactic acidosis, or a decreased physiological pH. This is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

Lactic acid levels increase after exercise.
Lactic acid levels increase after exercise.

Excess lactic acid is normally cleared by the liver. Hepatic dysfunction may also therefore cause raised serum lactate. There is a fine balance between lactic acid production and its clearance. Various conditions, such as severe dehydration, hemorrhagic shock and pulmonary embolism may cause anaerobic metabolism, upsetting this balance and raising serum lactate levels. Some drugs, such as stavudine, an antiretroviral, and metformin for diabetes may also raise serum lactate or cause lactic acidosis.

Certain drugs may raise the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
Certain drugs may raise the amount of lactic acid in the blood.

Measuring serum lactate, or the amount of lactic acid in the blood, is a meticulous process. No tourniquet should be applied, and the patient should not clench his hand, as this may raise the lactic acid levels, giving a false reading. The patient should not have exercised before the sample is taken as this, too, raises lactic acid levels in the blood. Once the sample has been taken, it should be packed on ice, and the lactate level should be measured within four hours. Instant, point-of-care lactate meters are also available.

The amount of lactic acid in the blood can be determined by taking a blood sample and analyzing it.
The amount of lactic acid in the blood can be determined by taking a blood sample and analyzing it.

The normal serum lactate level in well patients is about 1.0 to 2.5 mmol/L depending on whether it is venous or arterial blood. If the serum lactate is raised, the underlying cause should be established and treated. Typical symptoms of hyperlactatemia may include shortness of breath, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting and pallor, although these may differ from patient to patient and according to the underlying cause of the raised lactate.

A specific technique is used to take a blood sample in order to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
A specific technique is used to take a blood sample in order to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood.

Whatever the cause, raised lactate levels are a serious marker and require immediate attention. The attending medical practitioner will remove any causative agents, such as medications, treat with buffering solutions if acidosis is present, and treat the underlying condition with the necessary medication. Severe hyperlactatemia or lactic acidosis will require hospital admission in most cases.

Discussion Comments

KoiwiGal

@Iluviaporos - Actually I think there's been a bit of research recently that contradicts that to some extent. If anything, they think it might be the opposite. The reason people get tired and sore when they exercise is because their muscles run out of energy (provided by glycogen) and the lactic acid is a quick source of energy to renew the muscles.

Just as an aside, this is the reason you should try to eat something like chocolate or bread immediately after exercising. It helps to restore your muscles right away so you are less likely to feel tired for the rest of the day.

lluviaporos

This isn't something most people need to worry about though. The conversion of lactic acid when you exercise is perfectly normal and your body is capable of processing it perfectly well. It's the reason your muscles burn when you exercise for long and hard enough.

It's also the reason you probably can't hold something over your head indefinitely. That kind of exercise is anaerobic, so it produces an elevated serum lactate, which eventually causes so much pain and fatigue that people stop lifting their arms.

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    • Lactic acid levels increase after exercise.
      By: Shakzu
      Lactic acid levels increase after exercise.
    • Certain drugs may raise the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      Certain drugs may raise the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
    • The amount of lactic acid in the blood can be determined by taking a blood sample and analyzing it.
      By: JPC-PROD
      The amount of lactic acid in the blood can be determined by taking a blood sample and analyzing it.
    • A specific technique is used to take a blood sample in order to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
      By: Goran Bogicevic
      A specific technique is used to take a blood sample in order to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
    • Lactic acidosis may require immediate medical attention.
      By: william87
      Lactic acidosis may require immediate medical attention.