--- title: LDH Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ldh" also_known_as: - ldh - lactate dehydrogenase - lactic dehydrogenase category: Metabolic Health units: - U/L - IU/L order_price_usd: 19.99 order_item: LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/ldh-test" reviewed_at: 2026-09-08 --- # LDH > LDH is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 122 – 222 U/L. At TestWell it's $19.99 all-in as LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase), results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis. Also known as: ldh, lactate dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | U/L / IU/L | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Price | $19.99 | | Labs | Quest or Labcorp · BioReference in NY/NJ | ## What does LDH measure? An enzyme released when cells are damaged. Non-specific — many tissues contain it. ## What is the normal range for LDH? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+ | 122 – 222 U/L | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## What does a high LDH mean? LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) is an enzyme in nearly every tissue, so a high level means cells somewhere are being damaged or turning over quickly — but not where. Hemolysis (including a roughly-handled sample), muscle injury and hard exercise, liver disease, heart attack, infections like mononucleosis, and rapidly growing tumors all raise it. It is a supporting marker read with the CBC, liver panel and CK. ### Common causes of high LDH 1. Sample hemolysis or delayed processing (very common false high) 2. Hemolytic or megaloblastic anemia (B12/folate deficiency) 3. Strenuous exercise, muscle injury, rhabdomyolysis 4. Liver disease, hepatitis, heart attack, pulmonary embolism 5. Infections: mononucleosis, pneumonia, sepsis 6. Lymphoma, leukemia, germ-cell and other cancers with high cell turnover 7. Hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, kidney infarction ### Symptoms that go with high LDH - None from LDH itself; depends entirely on the cause ### What clinicians usually check next - Repeat with careful collection — hemolysis is the first thing to exclude - CBC with reticulocyte count and haptoglobin (hemolysis), liver panel, creatine kinase - Bilirubin, B12 and folate - Imaging or specialist referral only when the pattern points somewhere Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) ($21.99), [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [Folate (Vitamin B9)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/folate) ($32.99), [Creatine Kinase (CK)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/creatine-kinase-test) ($18.99), [Haptoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/haptoglobin-test) ($101.99). ### Seek care promptly if - Very high LDH with dark urine and muscle pain, or with fever, bruising and swollen lymph nodes — prompt evaluation **Is a slightly high LDH serious?** Usually not on its own. Mild elevations follow exercise, minor illness and imperfect sample handling. It becomes meaningful when the CBC, liver panel or CK point to a specific cause, or when it is markedly high. **Can LDH detect cancer?** It is not a screening test — too many benign causes raise it. In known lymphoma, leukemia or testicular cancer it tracks disease activity, which is why oncologists follow it. ## How do you get tested for LDH? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/ldh-test) | Single test | $19.99 | This marker | | [Comprehensive Anemia Workup](https://www.test-well.com/tests/comprehensive-anemia-panel) | Panel | $169.99 | 8 tests | | [Men's Cancer Screening Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-cancer-screening-panel) | Panel | $299.99 | 12 tests | | [Women's Cancer Screening Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-cancer-screening-panel) | Panel | $299.99 | 12 tests | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $19.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | Yes | $19.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | Yes | $20.99 | New York and New Jersey orders route here automatically — state rules keep Quest and Labcorp from accepting self-ordered draws. | ## Common questions about LDH ### Do I need a doctor's order to test my ldh? No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor. ### How long does it take to get LDH results? Most LDH results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal. ### How much does a LDH test cost? Our LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) starts at $19.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. ### Do I need to fast before my LDH test? Fasting is not required for the LDH test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day. ### Which lab will process my LDH test? Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations. ## Sources - [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8836) - [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Test](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lactate-dehydrogenase-ldh-test/) ## Related biomarkers - [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose) - [Creatinine](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/creatinine) - [eGFR](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/egfr) - [BUN](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/bun) - [ALT](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/alt) - [AST](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ast) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ldh Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.