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Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) is an enzyme found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. This article discusses the test to measure the amount of CPK in the blood.
See also: CPK isoenzymes
Alternative NamesCPK test; Creatine kinase
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The blood sample is sent to a lab, where the amount of CPK is measured.
This test may be repeated over 2 or 3 days for if you are a patient in the hospital.
How to prepare for the testUsually, no special preparation is necessary.
Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. Drugs that can increase CPK measurements include amphotericin B, ampicillin, certain anesthetics, blood thinners, aspirin, clofibrate, dexamethasone, furosemide, alcohol, and cocaine.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedWhen the total CPK level is very high, it usually means there has been injury or stress to the heart, the brain, or muscle tissue. For example, when a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Determining which specific form of CPK is high helps doctor's determine which tissue has been damaged.
This test may be used to:
- Diagnose heart attack
- Evaluate cause of chest pain
- Determine if or how badly a muscle is damaged
- Detect early dermatomyositis and polymyositis
- Tell the difference between malignant hyperthermia and postoperative infection
- Reveal who carries muscular dystrophy(Duchenne)
The pattern and timing of a rise or fall in CPK levels can be diagnostically significant, particularly if a heart attack is suspected.
What abnormal results meanHigh CPK levels may be seen in patients who have:
- Heart attack
- Brain injury or stroke
- Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
- Convulsions
- Delirium tremens
- Dermatomyositis or polymyositis
- Electric shock
- Lung tissue death (pulmonary infarction)
- Muscular dystrophies
Additional conditions may give positive test results:
What the risks areThere is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Other tests should be done to determine the exact location of muscle damage.
Factors that may affect test results include cardiac catheterization, intramuscular injections, trauma to muscles, recent surgery, and heavy exercise.
ReferencesAnderson JL. ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction and complications of myocardial infarction. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 72.
Barohn RJ. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 447.
What else can I help you with?
What color tube is used to draw cpk test?
A lavender or purple top tube is typically used to collect a CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase) blood test.
What does cpk mean in a blood test?
CPK, or creatine phosphokinase, is an enzyme found in muscle cells. Elevated levels of CPK in a blood test can indicate muscle damage or injury, such as from a heart attack, muscle trauma, or certain muscle diseases.
What tub Labcorp tube color for cpk?
The Labcorp tube color for creatine phosphokinase (CPK) is typically red or gold, depending on the specific type of test being conducted. It is best to confirm with the laboratory or consult the test requisition form for the exact tube color required.
What cpk stands for in blood test?
what is cpk. How is it increased by crestor? what is crestor? CPK, also known as CK and Creatine phosphokinase, is more formally called Creatine Kinase. This is a test performed to determine whether or not the individual has had a heart attack. Higher levels of CK indicate injured muscles or heart cells. Very heavy exercise, excessive drinking, injury to person via car accident or fall or etc., and drugs that lower cholesterol can all increase the level of CK in the blood. CK levels can be increased by drugs such as Crestor because it damages muscle. Crestor is a cholesterol-lowering medication or statin.
What indicates a positive test for Muscular Dystrophy?
A positive test for Muscular Dystrophy is indicated by a very high level of certain phosphokinase found in the blood.
Will takin creatine pass a urine test?
It will help you pass the creatine screening if you diluted your urine. If you do nothing else but take creatine, then no you are wasting your time.
What is the normal cpk level in blood?
The normal CPK (creatine phosphokinase) level in blood is typically between 10 to 120 micrograms per liter (µg/L). However, reference ranges may vary slightly depending on the laboratory conducting the test. Elevations in CPK levels may indicate muscle damage or disease.
Does taking Creatine help to pass a etg alcohol test?
Taking creatine does not help to pass an EtG alcohol test. EtG (ethyl glucuronide) tests specifically detect the presence of alcohol metabolites in the body, and creatine has no effect on these metabolites. Therefore, using creatine will not mask or eliminate the presence of alcohol in the system. The best way to pass an EtG test is to abstain from alcohol consumption.
What test is ordered for a person on Statins with muscle aches?
creatine
What is the crea blood test?
It tests for creatine levels in the blood
Can creatine clean your system of THC?
Creatine does absolutely nothing to clean out your system. People use creatine for a drug test when they drink huge amounts of water to dilute their urine. However when you dilute, your creatine level drops to an abnormal state, and labs can detect this. People take creatine to make their creatine levels average when they dilute.
Will creatine show in a urine test or NCAA?
Yes, any drug will
