Lactic Acid
A direct readout of lactate buildup, the metabolic signal that rises when tissues run short on oxygen.
Consider this test if:
- Evaluating an unexplained metabolic acidosis or anion gap without ketones or azotemia
- Monitoring tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery in serious infection, sepsis, or shock
- Investigating suspected mitochondrial, enzyme, or inborn metabolic disorders
- Tracking severity and recovery in a critically ill or post-operative setting
- Working up suspected toxin exposure, such as ethanol, methanol, salicylate, or ethylene glycol
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 1-3 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Be in a fasting, resting state and avoid exercise beforehand, since muscle activity raises lactate quickly. Collection technique matters: a tourniquet plus hand-clenching drives up lactate from forearm muscles, so the draw should avoid or quickly release the tourniquet. The sample must be drawn into a gray-top tube, kept on ice, and separated from cells within 15 minutes, so this is a lab-collected test. Avoid intravenous infusions that affect acid-base balance before the draw.
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What this test is for
Lactate (lactic acid) is produced when cells generate energy without enough oxygen, so the blood level rises whenever tissue perfusion or oxygen delivery falls short of demand. Elevated lactate is a marker of conditions like shock, severe infection, congestive heart failure, dehydration, hypoxia, and certain metabolic and enzyme disorders, and it often climbs before blood pressure or urine output change. It is also one of the main reasons to look for lactic acidosis when an unexplained anion-gap metabolic acidosis turns up without ketones or kidney failure to explain it. Transient rises follow exercise, alcohol, and carbohydrate infusions, so the result is read against clinical context and timing. In critically ill patients, the level and how it trends carry prognostic weight, which is why it is tracked rather than measured just once.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 1-3 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
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Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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