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  TEST NAME				RESULT 			REF. RANGE 	
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  LACTATE  PLASMA	  					      4.5 - 20 mg/dl
								        (Plasma)
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 INTERPRETATION :- 

 Lactic acid is a strong acid which dissociates at physiological pH, 
 hence all the plasma lactic acid is in the form of lactate.  Lactate  
 is the end product of anaerobic metabolism and its level is related to   
 oxygen availability.  When the supply of oxygen is limited, the  
 pyruvate is coverted to lactate.  As lactate increases in tissues 
 (skeletal muscle, liver amd erythrocytes) it begins to diffuse out of 
 these tissues and blood lactate rises.  Lactic acidosis is associated 
 with myocardial infarction, severe congestive cardiac failure, 
 pulmonary edema and blood loss which lead to shock. 
 
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