Creatine Kinase (CK)
Creatine Kinase (CK) is an enzyme found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscles. It is released into the blood when muscle tissue is damaged.
Category: Cardiac Markers
Also known as: ck, creatine kinase, cpk, creatine phosphokinase, total ck, kreatin kinaza
Reference range: 22–198 U/L (Source: ABIM)
Standard unit: U/L
High values may indicate
High CK levels may indicate muscle damage, heart attack, rhabdomyolysis, muscular dystrophy, intense exercise, or statin-related muscle injury.
Low values may indicate
Low CK levels are generally not clinically significant and may be associated with low muscle mass, sedentary lifestyle, or liver disease.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a normal Creatine Kinase (CK) level?
- A typical reference range for Creatine Kinase (CK) is 22–198 U/L (source: ABIM). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, and sex, so always compare against the range on your own lab report.
- What units is Creatine Kinase (CK) measured in?
- Creatine Kinase (CK) is most commonly reported in U/L. Labs in different countries may use other units — you can convert between them with BloodId's blood test unit converter.
- Where do Creatine Kinase (CK) reference ranges come from?
- BloodId uses ABIM standard reference ranges and educational information from MedlinePlus (see our methodology). Reference ranges still vary by lab, age, and sex, so always compare against your own report.
- Can I track Creatine Kinase (CK) over time?
- Yes. Upload results from any lab and BloodId charts your Creatine Kinase (CK) over time against its reference range, so you can see whether the trend is rising, falling, or stable.
Related biomarkers
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
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