Lactic acid tests are performed to determine the levels of lactic acid formed in the body. Lactic acid tests help to screen for lactic acidosis and helps in determining the causes for high acid levels in the blood.
Lactic acid is produced mainly by muscle tissue and red blood cells. It is a waste product formed when oxygen levels in the body are low and the body breaks down sugars (carbohydrates) for energy. This often occurs during strenuous exercise, especially bodybuilding.
When plenty of oxygen is available to the body's cells, carbohydrates break down into water and carbon dioxide. However, when oxygen is scarce, such as during heavy exercise, carbohydrates break down into lactic acid. Therefore, the amount of lactic acid in the blood depends on how much oxygen is available to the body.
Lactic acid levels increase when strenuous exercise or other conditions (such as heart failure, a severe infection, or shock) reduce the flow of blood and delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Lactic acid levels can also increase when the liver is severely damaged or diseased, because the liver normally breaks down lactic acid.
Very high levels of lactic acid cause a serious, sometimes life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. This condition occurs when the body's tissues do not get enough oxygen; it can be caused by shock or a severe infection.
Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase is the enzyme that breaks down lactic acid.
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