Creatine Kinase

Category:

Creatine Kinase

Description
This test measures concentration of creatine kinase in blood. It is used to evaluate tissue damage, particularly muscle tissue. This test may be used when conditions including rhabdomyolysis are suspected.
CK–MB levels, as well as total CK levels, are tested in persons who have chest pain to diagnose whether they have had a heart attack.

Since a high total CK could indicate damage to the heart but also to other muscles, CK–MB helps to distinguish between both cases.

If patient has symptoms of having had a heart attack, doctor usually gives the patient a “clot-dissolving” drug. Then CK–MB test can help the doctor tell if the drug worked. When the clot dissolves, CK–MB tends to rise and fall faster. By measuring CK–MB in blood several times, your doctor can usually tell whether the drug has been effective.

CK-MB test is prescribed, along with total CK, in persons with chest pain in order to determine whether the pain is due to a heart attack. It may also be ordered in a person with a high CK to determine whether damage is to the heart or other muscles.

Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.

Purpose of the test

To measure concentration of creatine kinase in blood.

Reference range values

  Male        52 – 386 U/L

  Female    38 – 252  U/L

Abnormal findings

The following are possible diseases related with abnormal Creatine Kinase tests results:
• Heat stroke
• Legionnaire's disease
• Muscle disorder caused by HIV
• Muscle tissue death
• Muscular dystrophy
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Reye's syndrome
• Rhabdomyolysis
• SARS - Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Statin-induced myopathy