LDH ordered for a specimen. Which factors can cause incorrect results?

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Multiple Choice

LDH ordered for a specimen. Which factors can cause incorrect results?

LDH results are highly influenced by how the specimen is handled before analysis, because LDH is present in many tissues and the test is sensitive to preanalytical factors. Hemolysis causes red blood cells to rupture and release their LDH into the plasma/serum, which elevates the measured LDH value and gives a falsely high result. Cold storage or transport can slow or suppress enzyme activity, so keeping a sample cold can lead to a lower LDH reading than the true value. Oxalate as an anticoagulant can interfere with the LDH assay itself, potentially causing a falsely low result due to reaction interference or spectrophotometric effects. Since each of these conditions can distort the measurement, all of the above factors can cause incorrect LDH results.

LDH results are highly influenced by how the specimen is handled before analysis, because LDH is present in many tissues and the test is sensitive to preanalytical factors.

Hemolysis causes red blood cells to rupture and release their LDH into the plasma/serum, which elevates the measured LDH value and gives a falsely high result.

Cold storage or transport can slow or suppress enzyme activity, so keeping a sample cold can lead to a lower LDH reading than the true value.

Oxalate as an anticoagulant can interfere with the LDH assay itself, potentially causing a falsely low result due to reaction interference or spectrophotometric effects.

Since each of these conditions can distort the measurement, all of the above factors can cause incorrect LDH results.

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