Question about LDH

[Cja1956]

Hello, fellow mpn friends, I have post Et Mf and my hematologist has been checking my LDH levels at each check-up for the last year and a half. The last 2 times this test didn’t show up. I asked the lab tech after the first time and she said my results were hemolyzed and they couldn’t get a reading. When it happened a second time, I googled it but I couldn’t figure out what what it all means. Has anyone ever heard of this or know anything about it?

[Hopetohelp]

Will be interested in any replies you get as my last blood test results had that word on my aspartate aminotransferase level,serum result whatever that is.

[Cja1956 in reply to Hopetohelp]

Sorry I can’t be of more help, but LDH stands for lactate hydrogenate which is an enzyme involved in energy production and is found in all the body’s cells. I never heard of that serum you are talking about.

[socrates_8]

Hey Cindy...

Hope you guys are staying safe & well...

Here's a little information about LDH Test results & what they may mean, & also a link to that page:

What do the results mean?

Higher than normal LDH levels usually means you have some type of tissue damage or disease. Disorders that cause high LDH levels include:

Anemia

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Muscle injury

Heart attack

Pancreatitis

Infections, including meningitis, encephalitis, and infectious mononucleosis (mono)

Certain types of cancer, including lymphoma and leukemia. A higher than normal LDH level may also mean treatment for cancer is not working.

Although the test can show if you have tissue damage or disease, it does not show where the damage is located. If your results showed higher than normal LDH levels, your provider may need to order more tests to make a diagnosis. One of these tests may be an LDH isoenzyme test. An LDH isoenzyme test measures different forms of LDH. It can help your provider find out about the location, type, and severity of tissue damage.

medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/l...

Take care...

Steve

[Cja1956 in reply to socrates_8]

So, I’ve looked up LDH in the past and it’s always been high. My concern is that the last 2 times I got tested for it, the results never showed up. Its either the testing equipment messed up or there’s something wrong with my blood. If you read my post again, you’ll see the lab tech said it was hemolyzed. Still not sure what that means. I have to ask my hematologist about it. Hope you are doing well after your long bike ride. Thanks for the information on LDH and for the article.

Take care,

Cindy

[socrates_8 in reply to Cja1956]

Hey Cindy...

Yes, I did see that you mentioned that the blood had suffered... 'Hemolysis'

"Hemo" means blood, of course; "lysis" means to rupture or the destruction of cells. So hemolysis is literally the destruction of blood cells, specifically red blood cells. When red cells rupture, they spill their contents, mostly hemoglobin, into their surroundings.

When this happens the test needs to be repeated so that an adequate sample can be provided etc.

Hope this makes sense...

Steve

[Cja1956 in reply to socrates_8]

Yes, it does. Thanks so much.

[socrates_8 in reply to Cja1956]

Pleasure Cindy...

Sometimes ... hemolysis even occurs if the collector simply forgets to loosen the tourniquet adequately before all the sample is taken...

Just means the test needs doing again is all really...

Steve

[Cja1956 in reply to socrates_8]

Ok, my next appointment to have blood taken is May 17 but maybe I’ll ask to come in sooner, to get is sooner. I guess I’m just anxious to know what is going on, just an equipment issue or something to do with my rede blood cells. Thanks so much for your support.

[socrates_8 in reply to Cja1956]

Cindy...

The 'hemolysis' problem is not something that you are responsible for in any way, it is most likely the 'collector/s' or the Lab technicians, and not you...

However, your blood FBC results will not be clearer until they have a proper sample that is not in 'hemolysis' etc...

Best wishes

Steve

[MPNBlog]

Hi Cja1956, I've been told that when a blood sample is hemolysed, there has most likely been a problem in collecting the sample, not with you. It could be that the vial wasn't rotated well enough to ensure the anticoagulation chemicals are properly mixed in; the draw may have been too slow, hence the cells start to break or leak and they can't get a true reading; or some other form of action that damages the cells such as pulling too hard to get the sample; or it can be in the transport of the sample to the lab etc such as them being shaken up too much. I have had a note about hemolysis on my results occasionally where potassium comes back very high, as it is one of the chemicals that leaks out of the cells. But it isn't a true reading. On those occasions I noticed that the nurse didn't rotate the collection vial properly, or had trouble getting the sample because the needle wasn't put in very well. It's no problem because you can just have another sample taken - but that's a pain isn't it! I now always ask for the same 'bleeder' where I go because she does a good job, and it doesn't hurt as much if they do a good job. I found out recently that she happens to be the supervisor. We have so many blood draws that I'd sooner have the best person poking at my veins. Best wishes.

[Cja1956 in reply to MPNBlog]

Thanks for your reply. It just seems weird to me that I’ve been getting my LDH levels checked regularly since 2019 and all of a suddenly the last 2 times, the results never came. I have a telephone appointment in May with my hematologist so I will ask her then.

[MAP44]

Do MPNs make (LDH) blood marker generally run high ?? Have your past markers been on the high side or normal levels ??

[cmc_ufl in reply to MAP44]

Sometimes. LDH is a marker for tissue damage, or another way of looking at it is "cell turnover." Since people with MPNs produce blood cells at a higher rate than the rest of the population, LDH can be elevated due to this reason. However, not everyone with MPNs has an elevated LDH.

[Cja1956 in reply to cmc_ufl]

Thanks.

[Cja1956 in reply to MAP44]

My LDH has always been high but my hematologist doesn’t really talk about it. That’s my fault because I never asked her. I just googled it the first time I was tested for it in 2019. I will be asking about it now.

[MAP44]

Thanks for the answers 🙂

[Rem31]

I’m so glad you have raised this post. I’m having a LDH test done soon but not had one before. It’s a bit daunting trying to find reliable information on an internet search and everyone here has helped with that.My more immediate worry is trying to get past the GP reception team to book a local blood test appointment ahead of my upcoming MPN telephone appointment... three unsuccessful attempts so far but that’s another tale!