Creatine Kinase Blood Test
creatine phosphokinase : (Creatine Kinase): { CK }
Creatine phosphokinase is primarily found in muscle cells including the heart, striated muscles and the brain. The normal range of creatine kinase for men is 38 - 174 units/L and for women 96 - 140 units/L. Men usually have more muscle mass than women which accounts for the higher range values. African Americans have been found to have higher normal range for creatine kinase as well.
The test procedure measures the amount of optical change that occurs as the enzyme, creatine kinase, acts upon the substrate, in this case creatine. An increase in the creatine kinase level means that there has likely been damage to the muscles. Whether this is smooth muscle, such as heart muscle or striated muscle, such as the long muscles of the legs is determined by the physician through evaluating the patient's symptoms, recent history and other tests and examinations including EGM and Scans.
What does Increased Creatine Kinase Levels Mean ?Elevated creatine kinase indicates muscle damage, or in some cases, over-exertion of muscles such as in lifting weights. The physician can determine through physical examination the possibility of heart attack verses a disease of the skeletal muscles. Further laboratory testing in the case of probable heart attack includes a CK-MB test and a Troponin Test.
Total creatine kinase is comprised of isoenzymes related to different types of muscle. They are :
CK-MB specific for heart.
CK-MM specific for skeletal muscle.
CK-BB specific for brain and lung tissue.
Elevations of any of the three isoenzymes will increase the total creatine kinase. Laboratory tests in which there is an elevated total creatine kinase will prompt the physician to order a CK-MB if Symptoms of a heart attack are present.
Creatine phosphokinase is primarily found in muscle cells including the heart, striated muscles and the brain. The normal range of creatine kinase for men is 38 - 174 units/L and for women 96 - 140 units/L. Men usually have more muscle mass than women which accounts for the higher range values. African Americans have been found to have higher normal range for creatine kinase as well.
The test procedure measures the amount of optical change that occurs as the enzyme, creatine kinase, acts upon the substrate, in this case creatine. An increase in the creatine kinase level means that there has likely been damage to the muscles. Whether this is smooth muscle, such as heart muscle or striated muscle, such as the long muscles of the legs is determined by the physician through evaluating the patient's symptoms, recent history and other tests and examinations including EGM and Scans.
What does Increased Creatine Kinase Levels Mean ?Elevated creatine kinase indicates muscle damage, or in some cases, over-exertion of muscles such as in lifting weights. The physician can determine through physical examination the possibility of heart attack verses a disease of the skeletal muscles. Further laboratory testing in the case of probable heart attack includes a CK-MB test and a Troponin Test.
Total creatine kinase is comprised of isoenzymes related to different types of muscle. They are :
CK-MB specific for heart.
CK-MM specific for skeletal muscle.
CK-BB specific for brain and lung tissue.
Elevations of any of the three isoenzymes will increase the total creatine kinase. Laboratory tests in which there is an elevated total creatine kinase will prompt the physician to order a CK-MB if Symptoms of a heart attack are present.