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Creatine kinase (CPK) is an enzyme found in striated muscle, heart muscle, and brain. Its activity may be an indicator of their damage or inflammation. The creatine kinase (CPK) test is performed for diagnostic purposes.

Creatine kinase (CPK) – description

CPC (kinaza kreatynowa; kinaza fosfocreatynowa) is a protein, an enzyme that is found inside the cells of the heart, skeletal muscles and the brain. We can find minute amounts of creatine kinase in human blood because it comes mainly from skeletal muscle (CK-MM). On the other hand, creatine kinase from the brain almost never makes its way into the serum. The level of this enzyme can be associated with intense exercise, but also heart and lung diseases, which can be recognized thanks to the determination of the kinase. Creatine kinase testing is recommended in people with suspected heart inflammation, heart attack or poisoning with carbon monoxide or muscle damage.

Types of creatine kinase

There are 3 types of creatine kinase in the human body, known as isoenzymes. We distinguish:

  1. CK-MM (found in skeletal muscle and heart)
  2. CK-MB (located in the heart),
  3. CK-BB (located in the brain).

Creatine kinase (CPK) – when do we perform the test?

In a healthy body, the main isoenzyme is CK-MM, which comes from skeletal muscle. If cells are damaged, the isoenzymes CB-BB (from the brain) and CK-MB (from the heart muscle) enter the blood. The creatine kinase (CPK) test is performed in the following circumstances:

  1. suspected damage to the heart muscle cells (heart attack, inflammation) – with chest pain – then there is an increase in the activity of the CK-MB isoenzyme. In people with a heart attack, the concentration of CPK increases in the first 3-6 hours after its occurrence. The highest level is reached around 24 hours.
  2. skeletal muscle damage – then the total enzyme activity increases;
  3. monitoring the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with statins (these preparations may cause muscle pain and tenderness as well as damage to striated muscle tissue);
  4. poisoning with muscle-damaging drugs;
  5. suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

Important! The level of creatine kinase is very often associated with high physical activity, e.g. running. However, these are temporary deviations from the norm that return to normal after the body regenerates. However, in people with high muscle mass, high creatine kinase activity is a natural sequence of things.

Creatine kinase (CPK) – study

In the creatine kinase test, samples are obtained from serum by a single blood draw from a vein (located at the ulnar fossa). The subject should be fasted for at least eight hours prior to testing. The material received from the patient is sent for further laboratory analysis. Before performing the test, you should inform about the vitamins, medications and dietary supplements that you are taking, which may affect the test result.

The waiting time for the CPK result: 1 Day.

Standard: 70-700 pmol/l/s.

Comments: Increased CK activity indicates cell necrosis. We observe the excessive activity of CPK after intense physical activity and after intramuscular injections, as well as in diseases of the central nervous system, such as:

  1. overflow blood
  2. attack epileptic,
  3. meningitis
  4. carbon monoxide poisoning.

Valid CK test values

The concentration of CK (creatine kinase) depends on gender:

  1. norms for women: 24-170 IU / l,
  2. norms for men: 24-195 IU / l.

Note: Always consult your doctor about the test result. Creatine kinase standards may differ depending on the laboratory where the test was performed. For this reason, no standard reference ranges have been established for the study.

Analysis of the CK study

Elevated creatine kinase levels may indicate:

  1. muscle inflammation,
  2. muscle wasting (dystrophy)
  3. intense physical effort,
  4. head injuries,
  5. skeletal muscle injury,
  6. seizures
  7. taking preparations, e.g. statins, neuroleptics,
  8. infarct,
  9. carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide),
  10. hemorrhage,
  11. inflammatory or neoplastic changes,
  12. subarachnoid bleeding of the brain,
  13. epilepsy
  14. shock,
  15. myocarditis,
  16. muscle crush syndrome,
  17. previous surgical procedures,
  18. intensive radiotherapy,
  19. pulmonary embolism
  20. Hypothyroidism,

What may suggest a decreased level of CK in the body?

  1. alcoholic liver injury
  2. RA.

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