Newcastle Laboratories

D-Lactate

Clinical Background:

N.B. Urine organic acids analysis is the recommended first-line investigation into D-lacticacidosis.  Plasma D-lacate analysis is rarely indicated.

 

D-lactate is produced by colonic bacterial meta...

N.B. Urine organic acids analysis is the recommended first-line investigation into D-lacticacidosis.  Plasma D-lacate analysis is rarely indicated.

 

D-lactate is produced by colonic bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates in patients with impaired carbohydrate absorption (e.g. short bowel syndrome).  High levels of D-lactate can cause metabolic acidosis, altered mental status (from drowsiness to coma), and other neurologic symptoms.  D-lacticacidosis may be suspected in patients with acidosis and normal plasma lactate. 

Routine laboratory and POCT lactate analysis measures L-lactate. D-lactate is not detected.

Urine organic acids detects both L- and D-lactate as well as other possible causes of metabolic acidosis and since analysis is faster and cheaper than plasma D-lactate it is the recommended investigation in patients with suspected D-lacticacidosis.

Read More

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (plain tube)

    Serum (plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (plain tube)

    Serum (plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Special Requirement:

    Separate within 1h and refrigerate immediately

    Separate within 1h and refrigerate immediately

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889

    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

Sample sent to an external laboratory for analysis

View all tests