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Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Unit Converter
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH or LD) is an enzyme present in nearly all cells of the body (ubiquitous). Its primary role is to catalyze the reversible conversion between lactate and pyruvate—a critical step in energy production (glycolysis). [Image of glycolysis and TCA cycle showing lactate conversion]
Clinically, serum LDH is a non-specific marker of cellular damage or injury. Elevated levels indicate tissue breakdown or necrosis caused by various conditions, including heart attack, liver disease, cancer, and most notably, hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells). LDH is also used as a tumor marker to monitor treatment efficacy. Results are reported in units of activity (U/L or µkat/L).
SI Units
RecommendedMicrokatals and Nanokatals per liter.
Conventional Units
Clinical Context
Reference Range: Normal LDH levels are approximately 140–280 U/L (highly method-dependent).
Massive Elevation (> 500 U/L) is often seen in megaloblastic anemia, severe hemolysis, or widespread metastatic cancer. In hematology, high LDH paired with low Haptoglobin is a classic sign of hemolytic anemia. The conversion factor is constant: 1 U/L ≈ 0.0167 µkat/L.
Clinical References
How to Use This Calculator
Follow these steps to get accurate clinical conversions instantly.
Enter Values
Input your laboratory results into the corresponding unit field (e.g., U/L). You can use either dot or comma decimals.
Automatic Conversion
The calculator works in real-time. As you type in one field, all other activity units (like µkat/L) are instantly updated.
Verify Units
Check the SI Units section. µkat/L is the standard ISO unit for enzyme activity.
Reset
Use the Clear button to reset all fields before starting a new calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Yes. U/L and IU/L (International Units per Liter) are interchangeable.
Because LDH is present in almost all cells, its presence in the blood only signals that some type of tissue damage has occurred, not specifically where.