What causes high lactate levels in blood?

Lactic acid levels get higher when strenuous exercise or other conditions—such as heart failure, a severe infection (sepsis), or shock—lower the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body.

What is a lactate blood test used for?

The lactate blood test is primarily ordered to help determine if someone has lactic acidosis, a level of lactate that is high enough to disrupt a person’s acid-base (pH) balance. Lactic acidosis is most commonly caused by an inadequate amount of oxygen in cells and tissues (hypoxia).

Why is lactate in the blood bad?

We know that when cells become hypoxic, lactate levels increase. While working in the intensive care unit, checking a lactate level was routine. Unfortunately, an elevated lactate level is typically a bad sign for the patient, often related to increased organ dysfunction and mortality.

What is the normal blood lactate level?

Normal lactate range is less than 2.3 mmol/L. At enrollment, patients in the second quartile (1.4 < lactate < 2.3 mmol/L) had significantly increased mortality and organ dysfunction compared with patients who had lactate ≤ 1.4 mmol/L (quartile 1) (P < 0.0001).

What happen if lactate is high?

Higher-than-normal lactic acid levels can lead to a condition called lactic acidosis. If it’s severe enough, it can upset your body’s pH balance, which indicates the level of acid in your blood. Lactic acidosis can lead to these symptoms: muscle weakness.

What is a critical lactate level?

Lactic acidosis remains the most common cause of metabolic acidosis in hospitalized patients. The normal blood lactate concentration in an unstressed patient is 0.5-1 mmol/L. Patients with critical illness can be considered to have normal lactate concentrations of less than 2 mmol/L.

How is high lactic acid treated?

Increasing oxygen to the tissues and giving IV fluids are often used to reduce lactic acid levels. Lactic acidosis caused by exercising can be treated at home. Stopping what you’re doing to hydrate and rest, often helps.

What is a critical lactic acid level?

What does a high lactate indicate?

A high lactate level in the blood means that the disease or condition a person has is causing lactate to accumulate. In general, a greater increase in lactate means a greater severity of the condition. When associated with lack of oxygen, an increase in lactate can indicate that organs are not functioning properly.

Does high lactic acid mean sepsis?

What is lactate? Lactate is a chemical naturally produced by the body to fuel the cells during times of stress. Its presence in elevated quantities is commonly associated with sepsis and severe inflammatory response syndrome.

What can cause an elevated lactic acid?

A high lactic acid value means lactic acidosis, which can be caused by: Severe loss of water from the blood (dehydration). Blood problems, such as severe anemia or leukemia. Liver disease or liver damage that prevents the liver from breaking down lactic acid in the blood.

What do elevated lactate levels mean?

A high lactate level in the blood means that the disease or condition is causing lactate to accumulate. In general, a greater increase in lactate means a greater severity of the condition. When associated with lack of oxygen, an increase in lactate can indicate that organs are not functioning properly.

What medications increase lactic acid?

A tuberculosis medication called isoniazid and a diabetes medication called metformin will both raise your levels of lactic acid. Exercise – Moderate and vigorous exercise can lead to an increase in lactic acid production, but it is usually safe, normal levels.

What do high levels of lactic acid in blood mean?

A higher-than-normal lactic acid level in your blood can also be a sign of problems with your metabolism. And, your body might need more oxygen than normal because you have one of the following conditions: Elevated lactic acid levels can also mean you’re not getting enough vitamin B1.