Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that helps cells create energy. While all cells produce some LDH, cancer cells often produce higher amounts. LDH levels in your blood can increase as lymphoma progresses, which is why doctors monitor these levels.
However, a slight increase in LDH one month after completing Show Full Answer
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme that helps cells create energy. While all cells produce some LDH, cancer cells often produce higher amounts. LDH levels in your blood can increase as lymphoma progresses, which is why doctors monitor these levels.
However, a slight increase in LDH one month after completing chemotherapy should be discussed with your healthcare team, as they can best interpret these results in the context of your overall treatment response and other health markers. LDH is one of several factors doctors use to assess lymphoma prognosis and treatment effectiveness. They will typically look at this alongside other important indicators such as:
• Your overall performance status (how well you can perform daily activities)
• Complete blood cell counts
• Physical examination results
• Imaging studies if ordered
October 2, 2025