Determination of Lactate Concentration

What is it? 

Lactate – it is lactic acid, formed when muscles work under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions. Its increase in the blood indicates potential tissue hypoxia, metabolic imbalance, or infection. 

When is it recommended? 

• Suspecting sepsis or severe infection; 
• Monitoring critical condition patients (in cases of shock, respiratory failure); 
• Assessing tissue perfusion (e.g., in intensive care units); 
• For athletes – to evaluate the impact of physical exertion. 

Benefits: 

Helps to identify life-threatening conditions, monitor treatment effectiveness, and make quick decisions. The higher the lactate – the greater the risk of tissue oxygen deficiency. 

Important to know: 

Lactate levels can also physiologically increase – after intense physical exertion, epileptic seizures, as well as due to medication or liver dysfunction.