# Lactate --- **Lactate**, or **lactic acid** is a byproduct of created when [[pyruvate]] is used as a final electron acceptor during [[fermentation]]. In muscles it is a normal product of [[glycolysis]] even when resting. Lactate is a good indicator for [[shock]] as it indicates that there is an abnormal amount of anaerobic respiration occurring due to a lack of profusion. >[!science] Normal value >The normal values for lactate are between **0.5-2.2** mEq/L for venous blood and **0.5 to 1.6** mmol/L for arterial blood. ![[lactic acid fermentation.png]] In humans some of our cells (like those in [[skeletal muscle]] lack oxygen to fuel the [[ETC (mitochondria)|ETC]], they switch to [[fermentation#Types of Fermentation|lactic acid anaerobic respiration]]. It's not as efficient but it keeps the cells alive until there is oxygen again. During intense exercise, lactate can build up in the [[muscle tissue]] as the waste product of so much anaerobic respiration. The lactate travels to the blood where it ends up in the [[liver]] where can be reconverted back to [[pyruvate]] and then back to [[gluconeogenesis|glucose]]. ![[lactate and glucose.png]] ___