If lactate dehydrogenase is low, it may be a physiological decrease, such as recent overexertion, poor sleep or bad mood, which may cause a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase. Low lactate dehydrogenase is also seen in pathological decreases, such as endocrine disorders and imbalances that can lower lactate dehydrogenase. Low lactate dehydrogenase has little clinical significance, while elevated lactate dehydrogenase has some significance. Lactate dehydrogenase is an enzyme that catalyzes the dehydrogenation of lactic acid to produce pyruvate and is present in the cytoplasm of all tissues and cells of the body, with high levels in the kidneys. If lactate dehydrogenase is elevated, consider the possibility of myocardial infarction, hepatitis or leukemia, malnutrition, pancreatitis, or transverse muscle injury, so elevated lactate dehydrogenase is more significant than decreased lactate dehydrogenase.