In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.

Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.

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. Why examine it and it tells about our health?

Creatine kinase (CPK) – description

CPK 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 muscles. Creatine kinase helps to recognize heart and lung diseases.

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;
  2. skeletal muscle damage – then the total enzyme activity increases;
  3. monitoring the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with statins;
  4. poisoning with muscle-damaging drugs;
  5. suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

Creatine kinase (CPK) – study

In this study, serum samples are collected by taking blood from a vein once. The subject should be fasted for at least eight hours prior to testing.

Time of waiting for the result: 1 day.

Norma: 70-700 pmol/l/s.

Remarks: Increased CK activity is evidence of cell necrosis. Increased activity of the enzyme is observed after intense physical exertion and intramuscular injections, as well as in diseases of the central nervous system, such as hemorrhage, seizure, meningitis and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Valid CK test values

CK concentration depends on gender:

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

Attention! Always consult your doctor about the test result.

CK test result

Elevated creatine kinase levels may indicate:

  1. muscle inflammation;
  2. intense physical exertion;
  3. injury;
  4. skeletal muscle injury;
  5. seizures;
  6. taking preparations, e.g. statins, neuroleptics;
  7. infarct;
  8. ZMS;
  9. carbon monoxide;
  10. hemorrhage;
  11. inflammatory or neoplastic changes;
  12. epilepsy;
  13. shock;
  14. intensive radiation therapy;
  15. pulmonary embolism;
  16. Hypothyroidism;

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

  1. alcoholic liver injury
  2. RA.

Leave a Reply