CREATINE PHOSPHO KINASE (CPK)

The General Marker for Muscle and Tissue Integrity

The CPK Test (also known as Total CK or Creatine Kinase) measures the total amount of this enzyme found in your bloodstream. CPK is a critical enzyme stored in high concentrations within skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and the brain.

When any of these tissues are damaged due to trauma, inflammation, injury, or disease, the enzyme leaks out of the damaged cells and into the blood. Therefore, a high CPK level is a direct sign of muscle or tissue destruction somewhere in the body.

Why Do You Need This Test?

The CPK test is a versatile diagnostic tool used to investigate or monitor conditions related to muscle health:

• Muscle Weakness/Pain: Investigating unexplained muscle aches, cramps, or weakness (e.g., Muscular Dystrophy, Polymyositis).
• Rhabdomyolysis Diagnosis: Identifying the severity of massive muscle breakdown (which can lead to kidney failure).
• Investigating Heart Damage: Although less specific than Troponin, an elevated CPK is often the first indication of a potential heart injury.
• Drug Monitoring: Checking for muscle damage as a side effect of certain medications, particularly Statins.