Related Experiment Videos
Serum lactate dehydrogenase activity increases in both endogenous and exogenous hypercorticisms
P L Selvais1, D M Maiter, H Schoemans
1University of Louvain Medical School, Brussels, Belgium.
Acta Clinica Belgica
|October 19, 2000
Summary
High cortisol levels, from any source, slightly raise serum lactate dehydrogenase activity. This common finding in clinical practice can prevent unnecessary medical tests when corticosteroids are frequently used.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Hypercorticism, characterized by excess cortisol, can be endogenous or exogenous.
- Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a commonly measured clinical enzyme.
- Corticosteroids are widely prescribed medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hypercorticism and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity.
- To inform clinicians about a potential cause of elevated LDH levels.
Main Methods:
- The study likely involved analyzing serum LDH levels in patients with and without hypercorticism.
- Review of clinical data regarding corticosteroid use and endogenous hypercorticism.
Main Results:
- Both endogenous and exogenous hypercorticism are associated with a modest increase in serum LDH activity.
- This elevation is a common biochemical finding in conditions of cortisol excess.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum LDH in patients with hypercorticism is a recognized phenomenon.
- Awareness of this association can help avoid unnecessary diagnostic investigations when corticosteroids are used.