Creatine kinase CK is an enzyme found throughout the body — but what can it tell you about your muscle health? Creatine kinase CK is present in many tissues including the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. CK is sometimes included as part of a health screen to investigate signs of muscle damage and high levels in the blood can indicate recent muscle damage. This guide explains what CK is, what it can tell you about your health, and why we no longer offer testing for CK.
Creatine kinase CK , not to be confused with creatinine, is an enzyme found in the body, particularly in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and the brain [1]. Damage to muscle cells can cause CK to spill into the bloodstream, which can be detected with a blood test. CK is needed for energy processes in the body.
Creatine is a compound involved in the supply of energy for muscular contractions. Because of this, creatinine is used as a marker of kidney function. Creatine kinase is an enzyme found mostly in muscle cells. It facilitates the reaction that converts creatine into an energy store. This is the marker that can indicate muscle damage. A CK test is usually requested by your doctor when there is reason to suspect muscle injury or damage. You may have symptoms of muscle aches or weakness.
Occasionally, CK-MB found in the heart muscle levels may be used to detect a heart attack. We no longer offer testing for creatine kinase CK as it can be affected by a wide range of lifestyle factors, including exercise and diet. Other factors such as minor illnesses such as flu and minor injuries can cause high readings of CK. Because of this, it is quite common for high levels to be found, even though there may be no significant underlying cause. Abnormal CK results can cause unnecessary worry for our customers and may result in unneeded GP appointments.
So, we have taken the decision to remove it from our routine tests. In a healthy adult, a normal CK level varies according to several different factors, including sex, ethnicity, and level of physical activity. CK is often also higher in people with a muscular build.
