Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels in acute leukaemias

ABSTRACT

Serum total lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] levels were examined in 40 patients with acute leukaemia and 20 healthy individuals were taken as controls. In 24 patients of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia [ALL], the range of serum LDH was 406-3098 U/L [mean value of 1495.29 + 781.03 U/L]. In 16 patients of acute non-lymphoblastic leukaemia [ANLL], the range of Serum LDH was 327-2548 U/L [mean value of 1170.81 +/- 670.34 U/L]. In the control group, the level of LDH was 260-432 U/L [mean value of 347.50 +/- 46.41 U/L]. Statistically significant difference was noted in serum LDH levels in both types of acute leukaemia when compared with the control group [ANLL P < 0.001, ALL < 0.001] but when serum LDH level in ANLL was compared with ALL, statistical significant difference was noted [P > 0.1]. This observation led us to believe that the measurement of serum LDH in acute leukaemias is of little value in classifying the type of acute leukaemia