An enzyme present in most body tissues that converts lactate to pyruvate in cellular metabolism. Elevated blood levels indicate tissue damage but are non-specific for the source.
From Latin 'lac' (milk) + 'dehydrogenase' (enzyme removing hydrogen), named because it was first studied in relation to lactic acid metabolism. Discovered in 1929 during research on muscle fatigue and lactate production.
LDH is like the Swiss Army knife of enzymes - it's found in almost every cell type, which makes it a great general marker of cell death but terrible for pinpointing exactly where the damage occurred! It's so ubiquitous that even minor tissue trauma can elevate it.
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