CPK Lab Test: Creatine phosphokinase is an enzyme found in high myocardium and skeletal muscle levels. In small concentrations, it's also found in the brain. Continue reading to find out more about this test.

CPK Blood Test - Everything You Should Know

CPK (creatine phosphokinase) is an enzyme in various tissues throughout the body, including the brain, muscles, and heart. A CPK blood test measures the level of this enzyme in the blood. High levels of CPK may indicate muscle damage or inflammation, while low levels may be a sign of certain health conditions, such as liver disease or malnutrition. The test may be ordered as part of a routine health evaluation or to help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions. We would like to inform you that the interpretation of a CPK blood test may vary depending on the individual's medical history and other factors. A healthcare provider should be consulted to interpret the test results correctly.

This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of creatinine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This reaction is reversible, meaning ATP can be synthesized from the myocardium and skeletal muscle concentrations.

Creatine phosphokinase has a dimeric structure and comes in four forms: cytosolic isoenzymes with the three fractions CK-MM (muscle creatine kinase), CK-MB (myocardial creatine kinase), and CK-BB (brain creatine kinase),  and mitochondrial isoenzyme.

The total creatine kinase level is mainly represented by the MM isoenzyme, provided that there is no pathology because, for example, in the case of myocardial infarction, the level is given by the CK-MB isoenzyme.

What CPK Blood Test and How Does it Work

This test is used to determine the creatine kinase in your blood. Physicians usually recommend mainly representing suffered a recent injury.

The test is also used to evaluate the cause of chest pain or if a person`s diagnosis is unclear. For example, if a person has nonspecific symptoms such as difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, dizziness, or nausea.

Doctors use this test to investigate skeletal muscle disorders (muscular dystrophies) and diagnose myocardial infarction and stroke.

Creatine kinase is not supposed to be measured after intense efforts or in the presence of any other cause of a possible increase in CK, making it difficult to interpret the results.

If the CK values are significantly high at baseline, levels must be measured again within 5 to 7 days to confirm the results. 

The test does not require special preparation. However, you should consider that some medicines, alongside alcohol and drugs and intense workout, can increase CK levels, and your doctor should be aware if you consume any.

As for the procedure, the test is no different from any other. A healthcare provider will follow the standard venipuncture procedure, and no side effects should follow or pain. Usually, it is recommended to take the test before breakfast for a more accurate result.

Normal Laboratory Levels for Creatine Kinase

Until now, there is no general agreement on the normal range for creatine kinase. Some laboratories use different measurement levels and samples.

Creatine kinase is a molecule found predominantly in the cell where it functions. However, it is possible to find the enzyme circulating in the blood in a range not exceeding 200 U / L.

Normal CK values ​​may vary depending on age, gender, race, constitution, and physical activity. In general, it is slightly higher in men. The reference value ranges between 10 to 120  mcg/L.

It is recommended not to interpret the results alone but to discuss them with a doctor. They will analyze your history with your result.

What Elevated Levels Indicate?

Very high creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels usually indicate damage to the heart and brain. Determining specific isoenzymes in the blood helps diagnose—for example, an increase in the CK-MB isoenzyme diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

Therefore this total enzyme and its isoenzymes lab panel are used to:

• Diagnosis of myocardial infarction
• Evaluation of the cause of chest pain
• Determining if and to what extent the muscle is affected
• Early determine—a form of dermatomyositis and polymyositis
• Makes the differential diagnosis between postoperative infection and post-anesthesia hypercatabolic state

Elevated CPK levels could be a sign of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart inflammation
• Myopathy
• Tissue disease
• Muscle dystrophy or severe muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis
• Excessive exercise
• A medication side effect

Discounted Labs also sells a CPK Total Plus Isoenzymes Test, which includes three main categories: CPK 1, CPK 2, and CPK 3. Each of these categories is associated with specific organs and body parts. In other words, you'll find more of a particular CPK isoenzyme in specific organs and less in the rest of the body.

If CPK 1 or CK-BB ( found in the brain and lungs) is elevated, it is likely to be:

• Stroke
• Brain cancer
• Brain injury
• Seizures or heart attack
• Pulmonary infarction

If CPK 2 or CK-MB (found in the heart) levels are high, it may be a sign of:

• Heart attack
• Inflammation of the heart muscle
• The side effect of an electric injury
• Open heart intervention
• Myocarditis as a side effect of a virus contamination

Other problems that can cause a higher CPK tissue result are myocarditis (inflammation), injury, surgery, and defibrillation.

In case of a heart attack, values will usually return to normal within 48 hours if there is no additional muscle damage.

Finally, if the CPK 3 or CK-MM (found in skeletal muscle) concentration is above average, it may be a sign of:

• General muscle problems include muscle breakdown, inflammation, medical tests, or even strenuous exercise.
• Recent seizures or surgeries
• Muscular dystrophy
• Muscle damage as a side effect of being immobile for long -rhabdomyolysis
• Myositis- inflammation of the skeletal muscle

How Can You Lower the Creatine Kinase Levels?

As elevated creatine kinase may indicate a tissue injury or a sign of a disease, the first thing to consider is reaching out to a doctor for advice. You should also consider stopping the exhausting workout if so.

Even though the sport keeps our muscles and tonus in shape, it should be performed under the limits of your own body. Some studies suggest that specific categories of foods, such as carbs, antioxidants, and protein, can attenuate muscle damage.

Other studies suggest that sports massage can decrease CK levels if done 2 hours after an exhausting exercise session.

You should also take into consideration your weight. People diagnosed with obesity usually have high CPK levels. In this case,  losing weight would be a good start.

There is no treatment to bring down CPK beyond corticoid steroids. If CPK gets high, doctors try to switch you to another medication if statins or other drugs cause it, but it is challenging for some patients to change since they may have no other options.

Some doctors prescribe corticoid steroids to reduce whatever the inflammation may be, but this is not a cure. Corticoid steroids can lower bone density and testosterone, cause water retention and fat gain, and are linked with joint bone death (necrosis), so they are an excellent option to stay on for the long term.

If you take statins with or without fibrates, high CPK may indicate muscle-related problems that these drugs can cause in some people. Statins (with or without fibrates) can cause rhabdomyolysis, which can cause the destruction of muscle tissue in a few patients and increase CPK. Some patients have anecdotallyStatins (with or without fibrates) can cause rhabdomyolysis, which can cause the destruction of muscle tissue in a few patients and increase CPK. If you take statins with or without fibrates, high CPK may indicate muscle-related problems that these drugs can cause in some people.

What Do Low CPK Levels Indicate?

Although most focus on higher CPK blood test results, low CPK levels can also signify a health problem.

In alcohol-induced liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease, Cushing's disease, and acute viral hepatitis, creatinine phosphokinase levels may be lower than normal.

Also, physical inactivity, which often leads to muscle atrophy, is considered a cause of creatine kinase levels.  Elders are most commonly affected by this.

Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can dramatically reduce CPK levels because of the inflammation produced in the organism.

Women usually for CPK during their pregnancy should know that the CPK levels are reduced during the second trimester, just a temporary phase.

However, the CPK blood test is usually performed to detect higher levels to locate muscle damage. A lower-than-normal level is rare and, if found, is not a definitive indication of a problem.

It may be helpful because it will encourage more accurate testing to rule out or confirm a health diagnosis.

How can you Increase Creatine Kinase Levels?

People with lower-than-normal CPK levels are more prone to fainting. This is a consequence of your heart and muscles not functioning properly. In a recent study with a  sample of more than 350 persons with low CPK, 70% were likely to faint.

Creatine kinase is, above all, a measure of muscle mass. Here it must be considered that muscles are what sustain our skeletons, and if you take a look inside, our heart is a muscle as well, one that must be kept safe and trained. Low creatine kinase levels may eventually lead to a higher risk of death.

Increasing creatine kinase is, above all, a measure of muscle mass. Here it must be considered that muscles are what sustain our skeletons, and if you take a look inside, our heart is a muscle as well, one that must be kept safe and trained. Low creatine kinase levels may eventually lead to a higher risk of death.

For this, you can start exercising more often, but moderately in terms of intensity. Make sure at the same time that the body has enough reserves of proteins to build muscle and help the recovery process.

When Should you Perform the Test?

Whenever the CPK levels are increased, it means that muscle tissue, the heart, or the brain has been damaged in a way.

You can consider associating this with a recent injury or muscle fracture. Also, if symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or general weakness start to appear, you may need to take the test. All these may be a sign of a heart attack.

CPK is an enzyme, a protein that helps convert creatine to phosphate that is burned for energy. The CPK will be released into the bloodstream in case of an injury.

The treatment for the possible disorders varies depending on the event the patient went through.

The CPK treatment depends on what caused it to grow. As a high CPK level found can indicate serious, sometimes fatal problems, it is highly recommended to perform the test. If you have any injuries or symptoms associated with the diseases listed above, please ask your doctor for help.

Order Your CPK Test Now

The CPK test is a valuable and helpful instrument in diagnosing severe disorders that we can encounter. For more information and options to test CPK and many others, go to DiscountedLabs.com and select the lab near your location to your home or office through an easy process. Do not hesitate or delay in taking control of your health today.