Alterations in Serum Enzymes in Chronic Renal Failure

Serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and amylase levels were determined in 76 chronically uremic patients. Serum LDH was increased in 77% of 486 determinations, and only 10% of the abnormal levels could be accounted for by pathological conditions known to increase LDH. Serum GOT levels were generally normal. Serum amylase was increased in 32% of 175 determinations. There is a high incidence of abnormal LDH and amylase levels in uremic patients. We caution against overinterpretation of these findings and the costly and often unnecessary search for their significance.