Lactate

ChemistryAlso known as: Lactic acidAlso known as: L-Lactic acidAlso known as: Lactic acid, plasmamg/dL

Measures lactate levels in body fluids to assess tissue oxygen status and metabolic function.

Normal Range

4.5 – 19.8 mg/dL

mg/dL

Abnormal Levels

Consult your provider

Specimen Type

Blood

Why This Biomarker Matters

Elevated body fluid lactate indicates tissue hypoxia or serious infection requiring urgent treatment. Serial measurements help monitor disease severity and treatment response.

Understanding Your Results

Normal Range

4.5 – 19.8 mg/dL

Overview

Lactate is produced when tissues break down glucose without sufficient oxygen (anaerobic metabolism). Elevated serum or plasma lactate is a critical marker of tissue hypoperfusion and is widely used in the diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis, shock, and other conditions causing inadequate oxygen delivery. Serial lactate measurements guide resuscitation efforts in intensive care—declining lactate levels indicate improving tissue perfusion. Elevated lactate can also result from seizures, vigorous exercise, liver failure, certain medications, and mitochondrial disorders.

Research & Evidence

187 publications

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MPN-FIT: a randomized controlled pilot trial of supervised exercise in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Blood Adv · 2026

PMID: 41499761Other

Prediction models for spontaneous preterm birth in asymptomatic low-risk singleton pregnancies: a systematic review.

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med · 2026

PMID: 41866245

Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients With Novel Bunyavirus Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rev Med Virol · 2026

PMID: 41980049

Exercise training adaptations on cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease: A systematic review.

Blood Cells Mol Dis · 2026

PMID: 41719824

Cardiorespiratory and Hematological Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training in Adolescent Girls With Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Eur J Sport Sci · 2026

PMID: 42050353

Intra-set rest preserves barbell velocity during a free-weight back squat exercise by shifting energy system contribution.

Exp Physiol · 2026

PMID: 41853883

The Effect of Muscle-Damaging Exercise in the Heat on Sleep.

Sports Health · 2026

PMID: 41749466

Lactate, an underestimated molecule in nerve regeneration.

Neurobiol Dis · 2026

PMID: 41962852

Immune cross talk and therapeutic advances in lactate metabolism in the tumor microenvironment (Review).

Exp Ther Med · 2026

PMID: 41929534

Structural diversity and functional versatility of bacterial lactate dehydrogenases: Guideline for designing robust industrial enzyme.

Enzyme Microb Technol · 2026

PMID: 42013731

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed · 187 articles

Technical Information (LOINC Codes)

Standardized laboratory codes for this biomarker

14118-4Primary

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma

mg/dL

32693-4

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Blood

mmol/L

2524-7

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Serum or Plasma

mmol/L

29246-6

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Body fluid

mg/dL

51829-0

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Capillary blood

mg/dL

34324-4

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Urine

mmol/L

29875-2

Lactate [Presence] in Urine

2523-9

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Peritoneal fluid

mmol/L

19240-1

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Mixed venous blood

mmol/L

27941-4

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Cerebral spinal fluid

mg/dL

14165-5

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Body fluid

mmol/L

30242-2

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Arterial blood

mg/dL

2520-5

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Cerebral spinal fluid

mmol/L

19239-3

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Capillary blood

mmol/L

59032-3

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Blood

mg/dL

32132-3

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Arterial plasma

mmol/L

30241-4

Lactate [Mass/volume] in Venous blood

mg/dL

2518-9

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Arterial blood

mmol/L

2519-7

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Venous blood

mmol/L

32133-1

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Plasma venous

mmol/L

2522-1

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Pleural fluid

mmol/L

34323-6

Lactate [Moles/volume] in 24 hour Urine

mmol/L

2521-3

Lactate [Presence] in Gastric fluid

55931-0

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Dialysis fluid

mmol/L

55932-8

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Cord blood

mmol/L

74896-2

Lactate [Moles/mass] in Stool

mmol/kg

15078-9

Lactate [Moles/time] in 24 hour Urine

mmol/(24.h)

75366-5

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Capillary blood from Fetus by Test strip

mmol/L

2526-2

Lactate [Mass/time] in 24 hour Urine

mg/(24.h)

2525-4

Lactate [Moles/volume] in Synovial fluid

mmol/L

Available Lab Tests

Order tests that measure this biomarker

Lactic Acid (Plasma)

$54.40

Results in Same day to 1 business day

Urinary Organic Acids

$586.08

Results in 7-14 business days