Above the range
Common causes of a high Lactate (Lactic Acid)
- Sepsis and shock
- Tissue hypoxia
- Seizures or intense exercise
- Metformin toxicity, liver failure
All tests · Inflammatory & Other Chemistry · Lactate (Lactic Acid)
Above the range
What causes a high Lactate (Lactic Acid)?
Normal range 0.5-2.2 mmol/L. Specimen: Plasma or whole blood (on ice). See the full Lactate (Lactic Acid) reference page for critical values and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Lactate (Lactic Acid)?
The standard teaching reference range for Lactate (Lactic Acid) is 0.5-2.2 mmol/L. This value is measured in plasma or whole blood (on ice).
| Specimen | Plasma or whole blood (on ice) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 0.5-2.2 mmol/L |
| SI range | 0.5-2.2 mmol/L |
| Critical value | > 4 mmol/L signals significant hypoperfusion / sepsis |
| Panel | Inflammatory & Other Chemistry |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Lactate (Lactic Acid) normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
Same panel