The LA (Linoleic Acid) test within red blood cells (RBC) offers an in-depth analysis of linoleic acid levels, a crucial omega-6 fatty acid. As a primary component of cell membranes, LA plays a significant role in maintaining skin health, supporting the immune system, and promoting overall cellular function. The RBC measurement of LA provides a more accurate reflection of the body's cellular health and fatty acid balance over time compared to serum tests. This is particularly important for assessing inflammatory conditions, skin disorders, and cardiovascular health.

LA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio.

LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA).

The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.

LA/DGLA is a fatty acid ratio.

LA/DGLA stands for linolenic acid (=LA) and dihomogammalinolenic acid (=DGLA).

The LA/DGLA ratio is a biomarker that can indicate functional zinc deficiency.

The Lachnospiraceae family is a diverse group of butyric acid producers, which have been associated with beneficial microbial and epithelial cell growth. Consumption of a Mediterranean diet decreased levels of species belonging to Lachnospiraceae.

Lachnospiraceae are known to increase with intake of cruciferous vegetables and wheat bran, and decrease with a resistant starch diet.

L-Lactate is a product of muscle use, so it is constantly produced in normal daily activity.

Lactate serves as a valuable metabolic marker that provides insights into various physiological processes within the body. Elevated levels of lactate can signify multiple underlying factors, including impaired mitochondrial function, nutrient deficiencies, or metabolic disorders. Monitoring lactate levels on the panel aids healthcare practitioners in assessing energy metabolism, identifying potential issues with oxygen delivery and utilization, and recognizing conditions like lactic acidosis. 

The Lactate - Arterial marker on Labcorp's Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Panel measures the concentration of lactate in arterial blood. Lactate is a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, which occurs when cells rely on processes that do not require oxygen to produce energy, often due to insufficient oxygen supply or impaired oxygen utilization. Elevated lactate levels are commonly associated with tissue hypoxia or poor perfusion, where tissues do not receive enough oxygen to meet their metabolic demands. High lactate levels can indicate a variety of conditions, including shock, sepsis, severe hypoxia, or organ failure. In some cases, elevated lactate can also result from metabolic disorders or certain medications. Monitoring lactate levels is crucial in critically ill patients to assess the severity of acidosis, identify underlying conditions, and guide appropriate treatment strategies.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that helps the process of turning sugar into energy for your cells to use. LDH is present in many kinds of organs and tissues throughout the body, including the liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, skeletal muscles, brain, and blood cells.

Lactate dehydrogenase may be elevated due to liver disease, hypothyroidism, skeletal muscle damage, anemia (hemolytic, pernicious), fractures. May be decreased due to reactive hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, ketosis.

Lactate is an intermediate of carbohydrate metabolism, produced from pyruvate during lactic acid fermentation. Lactate also plays important roles in immunomodulation and inflammation modulation. These species use lactate as a substrate for SCFA production. However, if there is an overabundance of lactate producers paired with low abundance of lactate utilizers (SCFA producers) this will cause a surge of lactate in the gut which can be toxic and harmful to host tissues.

The lactate:pyruvate (L:P) ratio is considered a helpful (not diagnostic) tool in the evaluation of patients with possible disorders of mitochondrial metabolism, especially in patients with neurologic dysfunction and either elevated or normal blood lactate levels. Pyruvic acid levels alone have little clinical utility.

The blood lactate to pyruvate ratio is used to distinguish between pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency and other causes of congenital lactic acidosis. In conjunction with an elevated lactate, an L:P ratio greater than 30 suggests inherited disorders of the respiratory chain complex or tricarboxylic acid cycle disorders. In conjunction with an elevated lactate, an L:P ratio less than 25 suggests a defect in pyruvate metabolism. An artificially high L:P ratio can be observed in acutely ill individuals. Abnormal concentrations of lactate, pyruvate, and the L:P ratio are not diagnostic for any single disorder and must be interpreted in the context of the individual's clinical presentation and other laboratory studies.

Lactic acid (Lactate) and pyruvic acid are byproducts of glycolysis. Carbohydrates, which contain glucose, are broken down through glycolysis to form pyruvate and two ATP molecules. Pyruvate can also be generated through the catabolism of various amino acids, including alanine, serine, cysteine, glycine, tryptophan and threonine. Magnesium is an important cofactor for a number of glycolytic enzymes necessary to produce pyruvate. Optimally, pyruvic acid is oxidized to form Acetyl-Co-A to be used aerobically via the Krebs Cycle to produce energy. In an anaerobic state, lactic acid is formed instead.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Formed from pyruvate in anaerobic or oxygen-starved (hypoxic) conditions to allow for ongoing production of ATP.

Lactic Acid and Pyruvic Acid are byproducts of glycolysis. Carbohydrates, which contain glucose, are broken down through glycolysis to form pyruvate and two ATP molecules. Pyruvate can also be generated through the catabolism of various amino acids, including alanine, serine, cysteine, glycine, tryptophan and threonine. Magnesium is an important cofactor for a number of glycolytic enzymes necessary to produce pyruvate. Optimally, pyruvic acid is oxidized to form Acetyl-CoA to be used aerobically via the Citric Acid Cycle to produce energy. In an anaerobic state, lactic acid is formed instead.

- Lactic acid is produced endogenously under anaerobic conditions.

- Main route of lactic acid disposal is conversion to pyruvic acid or excretion via urine.

- Higher urine lactic acid levels have been associated with diabetes, fasting glucose, HOMAIR, IBD, chronic kidney disease, Fanconi syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration.

    » Both L- and D-lactic acids were elevated in diabetes

- Nutrient deficiencies of B1, CoQ10, and/or lipoic acid, have been associated with elevated lactic acid levels in both urine and blood.

- Limited research noting a higher decline of T4 was associated with a low lactic acid, alanine and glycine.

Lactic acid is a microbial metabolite, urinary lactic acid is produced by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter, Acinetobacter, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter frundii, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus group B, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Rhizopus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lactic acid is a good marker distinguishing lower urinary tract infection (cystitis) from upper urinary tract urinary tract infections (pyelonephritis). Excess of exercise, bacterial overgrowth in the GI tract, B-vitamin deficiency have been shown to be contributing factors. The possibility of an inborn error of metabolism increases when the lactic acid value exceeds 300 mmol/mol creatinine. There are many inborn errors of metabolism that are present with elevated lactic acid, including disorders of sugar metabolism, pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, and mitochondrial disorders.

Lactic Acid and Pyruvic Acid are byproducts of glycolysis. Carbohydrates, which contain glucose, are broken down through glycolysis to form pyruvate and two ATP molecules. Pyruvate can also be generated through the catabolism of various amino acids, including alanine, serine, cysteine, glycine, tryptophan and threonine. Magnesium is an important cofactor for a number of glycolytic enzymes necessary to produce pyruvate. Optimally, pyruvic acid is oxidized to form Acetyl-CoA to be used aerobically via the Citric Acid Cycle to produce energy. In an anaerobic state, lactic acid is formed instead.

Lactic Acid, measured as part of the "LACTATE/PYRUVATE, FILTRATE" panel by Quest Diagnostics, is a critical biomarker in assessing the metabolic status of an individual, particularly in the context of cellular respiration and energy production.

Lactic acid is produced in the muscles and red blood cells as a byproduct of anaerobic metabolism, a process that occurs when oxygen levels are too low to meet the energy demands of the body through aerobic respiration. Under normal physiological conditions, lactic acid is continuously converted to pyruvate, which then enters the Krebs cycle for further energy production in the presence of adequate oxygen.

This test measures the level of lactic acid (also known as lactate) in your blood. Lactic acid is the endproduct of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. The blood lactic acid concentration is affected by its production in muscle cells and erythrocytes and its rate of metabolism in the liver.