CPK Test (Creatine Kinase): Full Form, Types, Normal Range & Treatment for High Levels
Time to read 7 min
Time to read 7 min
A creatine phosphokinase test measures the creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) enzyme levels present in the blood. CPK enzyme is found in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle, and it is released when there is an injury or damage to these organs. Generally, high levels of CPK are associated with medical problems, including a stroke, heart attack, or muscular injury. Different types of creatinine phosphokinase enzymes help figure out the origin point of the damage.
The Creatine Phosphokinase blood test is a simple blood test vital for muscle damage diagnosis as it assesses the CPK levels found in the blood (muscle tissue). When the muscles are injured or damaged for any reason, the CPK enzyme is released into the bloodstream, raising its level in the blood, which indicates muscle injury or damage. Although the CPK test can help diagnose certain abnormalities, it is not completely specific, so it can be challenging to figure out the precise location and severity of the damage. For that reason, CPK tests are usually performed along with the other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
In the medical field, the full form of CPK is Creatine Phosphokinase. This enzyme is found in the heart, brain, and muscle tissue. The CPK test measures the amount in the blood to detect various medical conditions and assess normal values.
CK (Creatine Kinase) and CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase) are the same. Creatine Kinase enzyme is found in various tissues such as the brain, heart, and skeletal muscles, and Creatine Phosphokinase is the other name for the same enzyme.
These are the different names for the same enzyme that is crucial for energy production and storage in the body. CK and CPK, both enzymes, are involved in the process essential for energy transfer and proper muscle function, especially in cardiac muscle, by catalyzing the reversible phosphorylation of creatine.
As mentioned above, the CPK test determines the creatine kinase levels in the blood. Creatine phosphokinase enzyme is important for proper muscle function and energy production in the body. CK levels can elevate due to muscle injury, strenuous exercise, or a heart attack. Thus, increased CK levels in the blood often reveal some kind of injury or stress to your heart or muscles, which may also be accompanied by symptoms like dark urine.
A creatine phosphokinase blood test assesses CPK enzyme levels in the blood. High levels of the CPK enzyme point to muscle damage, heart muscle conditions, or neurological issues, and can also signal the presence of kidney disease. The CPK test helps detect medical problems, including muscle diseases, brain injuries, and heart attacks.
A CPK test can help diagnose a heart attack or myocardial infarction, risk of stroke, muscle damage, kidney failure, and lung failure. Different parts of your body include different variants of the Creatine Phosphokinase enzyme.
Different types of CPK tests include:
The CPK total test measures complete creatine kinase levels in the blood. Primarily, this enzyme is found in cardiac and skeletal muscles. In case of tissue damage, the CPK enzyme is released into the bloodstream. The test helps evaluate muscle health, diagnose heart attacks, and screen for ongoing conditions such as muscular dystrophy. It can also help find out the cause of muscle pain weakness and other symptoms.
The CPK-MB test measures the amount of a particular enzyme called creatine phosphokinase-myocardial band (CPK-MB) in the bloodstream. Elevated levels mainly indicate heart muscle damage, allowing the heart attack diagnosis along with other cardiac conditions.
High levels indicate heart-related problems such as inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis). The CPK-MB test can help detect the severity of heart damage and the efficacy of ongoing treatment after a heart attack.
CPK-MM is a particular creatine phosphokinase enzyme that exists in skeletal muscle tissue. It has an essential role in muscle energy production as it is the major enzyme in the muscle-transfer process, improving the phosphate group for muscle contraction. High CPK-MM levels indicate injury or damage in skeletal muscle due to muscle stress, muscle strains or injuries, and certain diseases.
Creatine Kinase BB is a specific CPK enzyme that is primarily found in the brain nd lungs. Increased CPK-BB levels in the blood show brain injury or the risk of stroke. If there is any kind of tissue damage in the brain, CPK-BB is released into the bloodstream, leading to increased levels. High CPK-BB significantly suggests brain damage and other health concerns, including electrical injuries, pulmonary infarction, hypothermia or severe shock.
For a CPK blood test, you have to give your blood sample. The blood is collected from the vein. You may feel mild pain as the medical professional pricks the needle to collect the blood sample.
No special preparation is required for this test. Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications or herbal supplements. Certain medications can influence the CPK test, including fibrate drugs, cocaine, anesthetics, Amphotericin B, statins, steroids, and alcohol.
Risks and side effects associated with the CPK test are rare. However, these may include excessive bleeding, lightheaded, and infection.
The reference ranges may vary depending on the lab; however, the typical normal CPK levels range between 10-120 mcg/L. Although the general normal range is the same, males usually have a slightly higher range than females.
Various factors may influence the CPK levels, such as age, gender, muscle injury or muscle damage due to vigorous exercise, exercise or sports, trauma, certain medical conditions, and certain medications.
Elevated CPK levels in the bloodstream may point to muscle damage or brain or heart injury. The source of damage in other muscles can be detected by assessing the levels of CPK-BB, CPK-MB, and CPK-MM, which may also relate to chronic conditions.
High CPK-BB levels indicate stroke, heart attack, lung failure, brain tumor, and seizures.
Increased CPK-MB levels indicate cardiac inflammation, electric shock, chest injury, or cardiac surgery.
Elevated CPK-MM levels indicate intense exercise, physical activity crush injury, body inflammation, muscular dystrophy, illicit drug use, and prolonged immobilization.
High total CPK levels indicate an overdose of certain medications (carbenoxolone, ethanol, amphotericin-B or excessive alcohol intake.
Common causes of elevated CPK levels are reflected in the test results :
The treatment of elevated CPK levels is based on the root cause, which may include adjusting statin therapy, as evaluated in clinical chemistry. If the levels are increased due to overexertion or a muscle injury, your doctor may suggest that you take a rest and they will return to normal. If the high levels are associated with a heart condition, the treatment involves medications and interventions.
The elevated CPK levels treatment includes medications, physical therapy, and symptom-based therapies based on the underlying cause.
If your CPK levels are high due to certain medications, your healthcare professional may change or adjust the dosage or even switch to another medication.
In case of muscle injuries, usually rest is recommended. In some cases, your healthcare provider may suggest lifestyle modifications such as vigorous exercise and a healthy diet to manage CPK levels.
If your CPK levels are high and you are experiencing symptoms such as pain or pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, extreme muscle pain and weakness, fever, or chills, it's time to seek medical care. Get emergency care to detect the cause of symptoms and begin with the right treatment for early diagnosis.
The CK and CPK tests are the same tests with slightly different names. CPK or CK measures the amount of creatine kinase enzyme in the bloodstream. The test is performed to evaluate the muscle health and diagnose the potential damage in the muscle tissues. High levels of CK or CPK in the blood show heart attack, brain damage, muscle damage, or other health conditions.
The CPK test is vital for various reasons, as it can help detect certain heart, brain, and muscle health-related conditions. Timely diagnosis and regular follow-ups, as indicated by your test results, can help you avoid possible complications. It can help you detect and manage health conditions such as muscular dystrophy and rhabdomyolysis. Your healthcare provider assesses your symptoms, finds the root cause, and determines further tests if required. Accordingly, your doctor will suggest an appropriate treatment plan.
Typically, CPK test results can be collected within 1 or 2 days. The turnaround time usually varies from laboratory to laboratory, and how quickly the laboratory processes the blood sample.
Exercise can influence CPK levels, particularly intense physical activity, which increases the CPK levels that are often temporary. It increases the CPK levels, which is often temporary.
Typically, CPK levels above 200 units per liter are considered high levels, pointing to muscle damage, brain injury, and heart problems.
Generally, no fasting is required for the CPK or CK test, and there are no specific preparations you need to do before the test.
***Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphics, and images, is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice about your condition(s).
