Lactic acid is mainly produced in muscle cells and red blood cells. It forms when the body breaks down carbohydrates to use for energy when oxygen levels are low. Times when your body's oxygen level might drop include: A test can be done to measure the amount of lactic acid in the blood. What is Lactate? Lactate is a bi-product constantly produced in the body during normal metabolism and exercise. It does not increase in concentration until the rate of lactate production exceeds the rate of lactate removal which is governed by a number of factors. Lactic acid, also called lactate, is a product of pyruvate metabolism under anaerobic conditions. The tissues that produce most lactic acid are the muscle cells and red blood cells. An elevated lactate level and a pH equal to or less than 7.35 cause lactic acidosis. This test measures the level of lactic acid, also known as lactate, in your blood. Lactic acid is a substance made by muscle tissue and by red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. Normally, the level of lactic acid in the blood is low. Lactic acid levels rise when oxygen levels decrease. An LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) test measures the amount of LDH in your blood or other body fluid to check for tissue damage. While it's normal to have some LDH in your blood or body fluids, when tissues in your body experience damage or injury, they release excess LDH into your bloodstream or other body fluids. Blood lactate concentration ([La −] b) is one of the most often measured parameters during clinical exercise testing as well as during performance testing of athletes.While an elevated [La −] b may be indicative of ischemia or hypoxemia, it may also be a "normal" physiological response to exertion. In response to "all-out" maximal exertion lasting 30-120 seconds, peak [La −] b .

what is lactate in blood