DIY blood lactate testing?

[kuan]

I know it's about lactate concentration in blood, but how do they measure it? pH? If so, can't we just use use pH strips?

[merlinextraligh]

There is a little portable blood lactate machine, about the size and appearence of a blood sugar device for a diabetitc. I've seen them for around $400.

However, I personally think the money would be better applied to a powertap. With a powertap and a fild test you can figure your funcional threshold, which is really the relevant number anyway, and will be very close to the lab test for most people. Even without the powertap you can get your LTHR with an HRM from a field test that's going to be very close to the blood test.

I had a lab LT test done this winter, and it came out on the button to what my CTS field test predicted. Made me decide I wans't paying for anymore LT tests.

[kuan]

I know this is a bike forum, but I'd like to know for other sports too. :) I got tested in a lab too earlier this year. This past week my LT seems to have shot up at least five beats.

4mmol/dL is what pH?

And where can I get litmus strips to measure that?

or can I?

[kuan]

Well I found at http://www.thesportjournal.org/sport-supplement/vol14no1/lin.asp

Hetzler et al (1989) pointed out that excellent martial players should have the characteristics of very good physical ability, high speed and great strength, blood lactate ranging from 1.51-3.23 mol/100 ml, and blood pH value decreasing from 7.39 to 7.34 mg/dl.

Is there a way to tell if that's linear?

[chrisesposito]

I know this is a bike forum, but I'd like to know for other sports too. :) I got tested in a lab too earlier this year. This past week my LT seems to have shot up at least five beats.

4mmol/dL is what pH?

And where can I get litmus strips to measure that?

or can I?
see http://www.fact-canada.com/
http://www.fact-canada.com/LactatePro/lactate-pro-portable-analyzer.html

[NoRacer]

Here's the Lactate Pro, one of the most affordable portable lactate test devices on the market:

http://www.fact-canada.com/LactatePro/lactate-pro.jpg

It'll still set you back about $430US for the Starter Kit.

Check this out:

http://www.fact-canada.com/LactatePro/lactate-pro-portable-analyzer.html

Here's one of the testing protocols:

http://www.fact-canada.com/LactatePro/EasyProtocol.html

[kuan]

Yah no thanks! I know guys on athletic teams with one of those. I'm looking for a cheapskate method! :) I figure there'd be some easy way to measure blood pH that's all. Like prick your finger, drip the blood on a piece of paper, compare color to a chart.

[HillMut]

Yah no thanks! I know guys on athletic teams with one of those. I'm looking for a cheapskate method! :) I figure there'd be some easy way to measure blood pH that's all. Like prick your finger, drip the blood on a piece of paper, compare color to a chart.

Even if you could do that, I doubt litmus paper would be accurate enough for this type of testing. Also, if it was as easy as testing blood ph, that Lactate Pro would only cost slightly more than a basic digital PH meter.

[kuan]

Even if you could do that, I doubt litmus paper would be accurate enough for this type of testing. Also, if it was as easy as testing blood ph, that Lactate Pro would only cost slightly more than a basic digital PH meter.

Good point.

[edzo]

blood too thick for litmus strips you could never 'see' the result

meter test strips are expensive, and have expiration dates,
and they need to be kept in a specific temperature range

testing yourself can screw up the results if you want accuracy

better to ride then immediately pull over to a team member and
have them draw the blood and apply meter. doing it yourself
will give you inconsistent numbers as lactate levels rise and fall
by the second, as you dig for a lancet and meter... just like glucose

you can do pretty good strapping the meter to the bars with your
kit ready...but if you are above lactate dealing with sweat and the
shakes and high HR it is hard to do a good test. have an assistant do it