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Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test usually measures the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in a sample of blood. In certain cases, LDH levels are measured in samples of other body fluids. This includes testing fluid from the spine (cerebrospinal fluid), the belly (peritoneal fluid), and the chest (pleural fluid).
LDH is also called lactic acid dehydrogenase. It is an enzyme. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions in the body. LDH helps cells make energy. It is found in almost all the tissues in the body. The largest amounts of LDH are found in muscles, liver, kidneys, and red blood cells.
While it’s normal to have some LDH in the blood or body fluids, when tissues in the body experience damage or injury, they release excess LDH into the blood or other body fluids. If LDH blood or fluid levels are elevated, it may indicate that certain tissues in the body have been damaged by a chronic (long-term) or acute (short-term) disease or injury.
In general, LDH levels that are higher than normal usually means a person has some type of tissue damage. The damage is usually from disease, infection, or injury.
But higher a than normal LDH level doesn’t always mean there is a medical condition that needs treatment. High levels can be caused by intense exercise and certain medicines, including aspirin. It’s also possible to have a high LDH level if many red blood cells broke open when the sample was collected and tested.
Lower than normal LDH levels aren’t common and usually aren’t considered to be a health problem. Taking large amounts of vitamin C or vitamin E may cause low levels. Low LDH levels may also be caused by a rare genetic disorder called lactate dehydrogenase deficiency.
An LDH test alone can’t show what is damaging tissues or where the damage is located, so an LDH test is usually done with other types of tests that can help diagnose the problem.
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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