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HelpMayo Test ID DLAC D-Lactate, Plasma
Ordering Guidance
Urine is the preferred specimen for D-lactate determination, order DLAU / D-Lactate, Urine.
For determination of L-lactate (lactic acid), order LACS1 / Lactate, Plasma
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate Tube, 2 mL (T275)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate tube
Acceptable: Green top (sodium heparin)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial, and freeze immediately.
NOTE: If collecting in sodium heparin tubes, centrifugation must occur within one hour of collection.
Useful For
As an adjunct to urine D-lactate (preferred) for the diagnosis of D-lactate acidosis
Special Instructions
Method Name
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) Stable Isotope Dilution Analysis
Reporting Name
D-Lactate, PSpecimen Type
Plasma NaFl-KOxSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.15 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma NaFl-KOx | Frozen (preferred) | 91 days | |
| Ambient | 91 days | ||
| Refrigerated | 91 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
D-lactate is produced by bacteria residing in the colon when carbohydrates are not completely absorbed in the small intestine. When large amounts of D-lactate are present, individuals can experience metabolic acidosis, altered mental status (from drowsiness to coma), and a variety of other neurologic symptoms, in particular dysarthria and ataxia. Although a temporal relationship has been described between elevations of plasma and urine D-lactate and the accompanying encephalopathy, the mechanism of neurologic manifestations has not been elucidated.
D-lactic acidosis is typically observed in patients with a malabsorptive disorder, such as short-bowel syndrome, or following a jejunoileal bypass. In addition, healthy children presenting with gastroenteritis may also develop the clinical presentation of D-lactic acidosis.
Routine lactic acid determinations in blood will not reveal abnormalities because most lactic acid assays measure only L-lactate. Accordingly, D-lactate analysis must be specifically requested (eg, this test). However, as D-lactate is readily excreted in urine, it is the preferred specimen for D-lactate determinations; see DLAU / D-Lactate, Urine.
Reference Values
0.0-0.25 mmol/L
Interpretation
Increased levels are consistent with D-lactic acidosis. However, because D-lactate is readily excreted, urine determinations are preferred.
Cautions
The test performed is for D-lactate. This is a product of bacterial overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract. It should not be confused with L-lactate, which accumulates in some metabolic acidosis.
Clinical Reference
1. Khrais A, Ali H, Choi S, Ahmed A, Ahlawat S. D-Lactic acidosis in short bowel syndrome. Cureus. 2022;14(5):e25471. doi:10.7759/cureus.25471
2. Bianchetti DGAM, Amelio GS, Lava SAG, et al. D-lactic acidosis in humans: systematic literature review. Pediatr Nephrol. 2018;33(4):673-681. doi:10.1007/s00467-017-3844-8
Method Description
Plasma is spiked with a mixture of internal standards and evaporated. The dry residue is derivatized with DATAN to form the diastereomeric molecules, then acidified and extracted with ethyl acetate. After evaporation, the dry residue is again derivatized to form trimethylsilyl (TMS) esters at the carboxylic acid moiety. Specimens are then analyzed by capillary gas chromatography mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring using positive chemical ionization, with chromatographic separation of the L,L- and D,L-diastereoisomers of derivatized lactate, corresponding to L-Lactate and D-Lactate, respectively.(Ding X, Lin S, Weng H, Liang J. Separation and determination of the enantiomers of lactic acid and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid by chiral derivatization combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. J Sep Sci. 2018;41(12):2576–2584)
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Thursday
Report Available
3 to 6 daysSpecimen Retention Time
1 monthPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83605
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| DLAC | D-Lactate, P | 14045-9 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8878 | D-Lactate, P | 14045-9 |