| Ordering Code | 462 |
|---|---|
| Test Name | Lactic Acid |
| Alias | Lactate LAC |
| Preferred Specimen | Plasma |
| Preferred Container | Sodium Fluoride - Potassium Oxalate (Gray) |
| Optimum Volume | Entire Specimen |
| Collection Instructions | Patient should be at rest. Limit arm, hand (fist-clenching/ pumping), and leg movement during collection. Avoid the use of a tourniquet, if possible. Do not leave tourniquet on for more than 30 seconds. Draw and immediately place tube on wet ice or tube holder ice pack. |
| Handling Instructions | Centrifuge and separate plasma from cells within 15 minutes of collection. Aliquot tube must be tightly capped. |
| Transport Requirements | Oahu: Refrigerated Airline: Refrigerated |
| Specimen Stability | Ambient: 8 Hours (Aliquot) Refrigerated: 14 Days (Aliquot) Aliquot tube must remain tightly capped. |
| Rejection Criteria | Grossly hemolyzed, Insufficient quantity, Specimen older than stability limits, Uncentrifuged specimen not received on WET ice or tube holder ice pack, Uncentrifuged or unaliquoted specimen >2 hours old |
| Avail. Stat | YES |
| Analytic Time | 1 Day |
| Methodology | Enzymatic/Oxidation of Lactate to Pyruvate |
Reference range(s)
The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of March 10, 2026.
| Component | Age | Male Norm | Male Critical Low | Male Critical High | Female Norm | Female Critical High | Female Critical Low | Units | Add'l info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactic Acid | ALL | 0.5-2.0 | 0.5-2.0 | mmol/L |