Serum Creatine Kinase Test is a diagnostic test, which is intended to measure the amount of an enzyme called Creatine Kinase in the blood. The test is also referred to as Creatine Phosphokinase Test, CPK Test or CK Test.
Reference values have not been established for patients that are less than 6 years of age.
Considerable projection in the values of Creatine Kinase in blood may potentially be triggered by-
What is it all about?
'Serum' is the term used for the proteins found in blood. Serum Creatine Kinase is an enzyme (biological chemical made up of proteins that alters chemical reactions occurring inside human body) which catalyses (i.e. speeds up) the process of conversion of Creatine into Phosphocreatine. The enzyme is primarily found in heart, skeletal muscles and brain tissues, and is released into blood from the three.Why am I asked to get this test done?
The test may diagnose multiple conditions. Following are some of the probable reasons for which your doctor may suggest you to get Serum Creatine Kinase Test done:- To diagnose heart attack
- To determine the cause of chest pain
- To evaluate the extent of muscle damage
- To detect certain muscle diseases
- To differentiate between post-operative infection and malignant hyperthermia (condition characterized by sudden and sharp increase in body temperature along with severe muscle contraction when general anaesthesia is given)
Normal value range of Serum Creatine Kinase in blood
| Males | Females | |||||
| 6-11 years: 150-499 U/L | 12-17 years: 94-499 U/L | greater than or equal to 18 years: 52-336 U/L | 6-7 years: 134-391 U/L | 8-14 years: 91-391 U/L | 15-17 years: 53-269 U/L | Greater than or equal to 18 years: 38-176 U/L |
Interpretation of Serum Creatine Kinase Test Reports
Elevated levels of Serum Creatine Kinase may be seen due to varied conditions of which a few are listed below:
- Heart attack
- Brain injury
- Electric shock
- Inflammation of heart muscles (Myocarditis)
- Lung tissue death (Pulmonary Infarction)
- Breakdown of muscle tissue (Rhabdomyolysis)
- Muscular dystrophy
Considerable projection in the values of Creatine Kinase in blood may potentially be triggered by-
- Heavy exercise
- Consumption of alcohol
- Thyroid disorders
- Kidney disorders
- Trauma to muscles
For this reason, the test alone cannot be used to conclude any disease/disorder. In case of abnormality, your doctor may order other tests. Further tests clarify the source of excess enzyme, which helps in determining the real cause/disease.
Creatine kinase plays a key role in the energy metabolism of cells with intermittently high and fluctuating energy requirements. Examples of such cells include cardiac or skeletal muscle cells and neural tissues of brain and retina. The enzyme catalyzes the reversible transfer of the phosphoryl group from phosphorylcreatine to ADP, creatine kinase
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