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What is CK in a blood test

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Creatine Kinase (CK) is an enzyme naturally present in our body. It is found in small amounts in muscle tissues, such as skeletal muscle, the heart, and the brain. This enzyme intervenes in the production of energy in the forces and is released when the body is under great stress, for example, during exercise or when some damage occurs.

Its function is to add a phosphate group to creatine, also known as phosphocreatine. This substance created is used in the body to provide energy to cells. When muscles degenerate, the cells that form them break and release their content into the BloodBlood, Creatine Kinase. Therefore, when a muscle injury, CK levels are higher than usual. In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain what CK is in a blood test and what values ​​are normal or abnormal.

Normal Creatine Kinase Values: Total CK

The CK, as we have seen, provides energy and makes the muscles recover from specific injuries, so it is expected that when there is some damage, it increases its total count. However, under normal conditions, creatine kinase is in the body at rest, so to speak, and therefore does not need to be released or appear in large quantities. Also, CK is typically found in muscle and is only released into the bloodstream when the lining of the muscle breaks.

General values ​​have been established to determine normal CK in BloodBlood, which according to the North American Muscular Dystrophy Association, is between 22 and 198 units per liter. However, there may be variations depending on race, sex, or other biological aspects. Thus, in men over 18 years of age, CK levels in the BloodBlood can range from 52 to 336 units per L or U / L, and in the case of women, it ranges from 38 to 176 U / L.

Even though we speak of creatine kinase in general terms, we must differentiate three forms :

  • The one that is located in the skeletal muscles is called CK-MM
  • the one lodged in the heart is known as CK-MB
  • CK-BB is mainly found in the brain

The following article will talk about average CK values ​​in BloodBlood.

Elevated creatine kinase: causes

Since creatine kinase is found mainly in the muscles, obviously, the greater the muscle mass of a person, the levels of creatine kinase will also be higher. Still, it will also increase when the muscle fibers are damaged. Since CK accelerates muscle recovery after intense efforts, it is normal for its levels to be higher when there is an injury.

Doctors look at these indicators to determine if there is muscle damage or fatigue. Thus, through a blood test, they can determine that the muscle is being damaged or destroyed by some abnormal process. For example, some inflammation or even muscular dystrophy can be defined.

But not only do its levels increase due to injury or muscular dystrophy, but other conditions can cause CK levels in the BloodBlood to increase. These causes of high creatine kinase are:

  • Myocardial infarction. Blood tests are sometimes used to diagnose it using CK values.
  • Medications to regulate cholesterol can cause CK to rise.
  • Hyperthyroidism.
  • Prolonged surgeries.
  • Practice intense or very intense physical exercise.
  • Some virus infections such as the flu or HIV.
  • Yeast infections
  • Bacterial infections.
  • Parasitic infections.
  • The thrombosis can also cause blood CK rates to skyrocket.
  • Poisoning by toxins or drugs that interfere with energy production in the muscle.

Until the damage is solved, creatine kinase will remain elevated for a longer time, so it is essential to monitor it to see that the levels are decreasing, especially in the case of possible heart damage.

Creatin Kinase Baja

High creatine kinase levels show some damage or lack of oxygen in the heart, such as myocardial infarction. Still, as we have said, they can also rise due to certain conditions or medications. But just as it is not advisable or healthy to have too high levels of CK, it is not a good thing that the stories are low either.

In the opposite case, when creatine kinase levels are deficient, it can indicate alcoholism. They are usually related to having been drinking excessively. They could even lead to liver disease due to alcohol. At other times it can also be due to rheumatoid arthritis.

This article is merely informative; at FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is CK in a blood test, we recommend that you enter our category of BloodBlood, heart, and circulation.

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