What Does Lactate Mean?
LAK-tayt
IPA: /ˈlæk.teɪt/
lak
tayt
Lactate is pronounced LAK-tayt
What does Lactate mean?
Lactate (lactic acid) is a metabolic byproduct of anaerobic glycolysis; elevated serum lactate indicates inadequate tissue oxygenation or impaired clearance.
How do you pronounce Lactate?
Lactate is pronounced "LAK-tayt". Syllables: lak - tayt.
When is Lactate used in medicine?
Sepsis bundle, shock resuscitation monitoring, ICU metabolic panels.
Word Parts & Etymology
Latinlacmilk — lactic acid was first isolated from sour milk by Scheele in 1780
Common Misconceptions
Elevated lactate does not always mean shock — exercise, liver failure, thiamine deficiency, and metformin use can elevate lactate without true tissue ischemia (Type B lactic acidosis).
Clinical Context
Lactate > 2 mmol/L suggests tissue hypoperfusion. In septic shock, lactate > 2 mmol/L with vasopressor dependence meets Sepsis-3 shock criteria. Serial lactate guides resuscitation success.
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