The Creatine Kinase (Ck) test can be used to indicate either there has been damage to the brain or muscle that may have been due to a stroke, muscle disorder or a heart attack. Ck or creatine phosphokinase (Cpk) is a type of enzyme that is settled mostly in the skeletal muscle, brain or heart. There are three isoforms of Ck and high levels of Ck in the blood can mean three separate things. Ck-I or Bb is created mainly by smooth muscles and the brain. Ck-Ii or Mb, is created mainly by the skeletal muscle, while Ck-Iii or Mm, is generated by the skeletal muscle.
When the Ck tests are completed, a high level of Ck shows that the muscle tissues, the brain and the heart have been exposed to stress or injury. Thus, this particular test can be utilized to decree the reasons for chest pain, diagnose a heart attack, and differentiate malignant hyperthermia and infection after an operation. Other uses consist of the early detection of polymyositis and dermatomyositis, the identification of the person with muscular dystrophy, and the estimate of the extent of damage in a particular muscle.
Unusually high levels of Ck may indicate discrete kinds of medical conditions. These consist of myocarditis or inflammation of the heart, a stroke or brain injury, a heart attack or myocardial infarction, polymyositis or dermatomhyositis, muscular dystrophies, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, rhabdomyolysis, pericarditis after myocardial infarction, convulsions, galvanic shock and delirium tremens. However, it is leading to notify the physician if you are taking any medications because these can elevate Ck levels in the blood. Such drugs consist of cocaine, alcohol, furosemide, dexamethasone, clofibrate, aspirin, blood thinners, some anesthetics, ampicillin,and amphotericin B.
Physical performance may also increase Ck levels, particularly Ck-Iii. Thus, it is advisable to avoid strenuous exercises or activities the day that the test will be performed. It is also leading to notify the physician if you have any new bruises, falls or injections because these can also increase Ck levels. Normal Ck levels for men is 17 to 148 units per liter and 10 to 79 units per liter in women.
