What Does Lactate Indicate?

A high lactate level in the blood means that the disease or condition a person has is causing lactate to accumulate. In general, a greater increase in lactate means a greater severity of the condition. When associated with lack of oxygen, an increase in lactate can indicate that organs are not functioning properly.

What causes high lactate levels?

Lactic acid levels get higher when strenuous exercise or other conditions—such as heart failure, a severe infection (sepsis), or shock—lower the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body.

What is lactate a marker of?

Lactate is a reliable indicator of sepsis severity and a marker of resuscitation; however, it is an unreliable marker of tissue hypoxia/hypoperfusion.