Idiosyncratic LDH Elevation in a Young and Healthy Female Patient, a Case of Macro-LDH Detection Using PEG Precipitation

Patrik Wintersberger^{1, 2,} and Jürgen Harauer²

¹Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Krems, Austria

²medical practice Dr. Jürgen Harauer, Krems, Austria

Cite this paper

Patrik Wintersberger and Jürgen Harauer. Idiosyncratic LDH Elevation in a Young and Healthy Female Patient, a Case of Macro-LDH Detection Using PEG Precipitation. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2024; 12(1):6-9. doi: 10.12691/AJMCR-12-1-2

Abstract

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an unspecific marker predominantly for hemolysis, thrombotic, infectious, and malignant diseases. On rare occasions, it can also be idiosyncratically elevated. We present a case of a 30-year-old otherwise healthy female patient who is referred to outpatient internal medicine with a persistent LDH elevation for years. Extensive laboratory and radiological diagnostics are performed without any indications of disease. Macro-LDH is suspected, and serum immunocomplex precipitation with polyethylene glycol is performed. Laboratory results make the presence of macro-LDH likely. Therefore, it is suggested that macroenzymes be considered early in the diagnostic journeys of patients with elevated serum enzyme activities unsuitable to the corresponding clinical context to spare them unnecessary procedures and provide them with a diagnosis of this probable benign condition.

Keywords

lactate dehydrogenase, macroenzymes, macro-LDH, PEG precipitation, idiosyncratic LDH elevation

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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