0
Lactic acid is mainly produced in muscle cells and red blood cells. It forms when the body breaks down carbohydrates to use for energy during times of low oxygen levels. Your body's oxygen level might drop during intense exercise or if you have an infection or disease.
A test can be done to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood.
Alternative NamesLactate test
How the test is performedBlood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testDo not exercise for several hours before the test. Exercise can cause a temporary increase in lactic acid levels.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is usually done to diagnose lactic acidosis.
Normal Values4.5 to 19.8 mg/dL (0.5-2.2 mmol/L)
Note: mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter; mmol/L = millimoles per liter
What abnormal results meanAbnormal results suggest that body tissues are not getting enough oxygen. See: Oxygen deprivation
Conditions associated with increased lactic acid levels include:
- Hypoxia seen in shock
- Congestive heart failure
- Hepatic (liver) problems
- Ischemia (not enough oxygenated blood getting to a certain area)
- Lung disease
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Risks may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Clenching the fist or having the elastic band in place for a long time while having blood drawn can artificially increase lactic acid level.
ReferencesSeifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 119.
What else can I help you with?
What is the purpose of a lactic acid test?
The lactic acid test is used as an indirect assessment of the oxygen level in tissues and to determine the cause and course of lactic acidosis.
What color test tube would I use for a Lactic acid test?
You can use a clear test tube for a lactic acid test. This allows you to easily observe any color changes that may occur during the test, indicating the presence of lactic acid.
How should patients be prepared for a lactic acid test?
This test requires a blood sample. The patient should have nothing to eat or drink (fasting ) from midnight the night before the test. Because lactic acid is produced by exertion, the patient should rest for at least one hour before the test.
How is a lactic acid test done?
A lactic acid test is typically done by taking a blood sample from a vein in the arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis to measure the level of lactic acid in the blood. It is a common test used to assess the severity of certain medical conditions such as sepsis or heart failure.
How do you determine if you have lactic acid build up in your body?
Lactic acid build-up in the body can be determined through symptoms such as muscle fatigue, cramps, and soreness after intense exercise. Additionally, a blood test can measure the levels of lactic acid in the bloodstream to confirm its presence.
How many athletes need the lactic acid profile test?
farting is the best way of getting rid of lactic acid in the body.eating rat food will also helo.eat more ginger biscuits
What is the purpose of a lactic threshold test and how is it used to determine an individual's optimal training intensity?
A lactic threshold test is used to measure the point at which lactic acid starts to accumulate in the muscles during exercise. This helps determine an individual's optimal training intensity by identifying the level of exercise intensity at which they can perform for an extended period without accumulating too much lactic acid. By training at or near this threshold, athletes can improve their endurance and performance.
What precautions need to be taken when doing a lactic acid test?
During blood collection, the patient should be instructed to relax the hand. Clenching and unclenching the fist will cause a build-up of potassium and lactic acid from the hand muscles that will falsely elevate the levels.
How you can find acditiy of lactic acid?
There are two methods: 1. Litmus paper test - a simple test where litmus paper is dipped into the solution containing lactic acid and the color change of the paper is compared with a standardized spectrum to determine the approximate pH of the solution. 2. The pH meter test - here, an instrument called a pH meter is used to find out the exact pH of the solution
How do Ph indicators test for sugar fermentation?
When organisms ferment sugars they usually produce lactic acid as a byproduct. This lactic acid production lowers the pH of the media the bacteria is grown in. The pH indicator changes the media color in response to the decreasing pH from the lactic acid production.
What is difference between lactic acid and lactose?
If we are talking about distinguishing between the two solutions then, Carry out a Benedict's test on both solutions; Results: Lactose solution would give a brick-red/brown precipitate (positive test) Sucrose solution would give negative test result while sucrose is a non-reducing sugar which does not react with Benedict's reagent.
What risks exist for the patient in undergoing a lactic acid test?
Risks for this test are minimal. The patient may experience slight bleeding from the blood-drawing site, fainting or feeling lightheaded after puncture of the vein (venipuncture), or an accumulation of blood under.
