What Is Creatine Kinase (CK) in a Blood Test?
CK is found in heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. It rises when muscle tissue is damaged.
Normal Range
- 30–200 U/L
- Higher in muscular individuals
Elevated CK Causes
- Intense exercise — most common
- Muscle injury or trauma
- Rhabdomyolysis — severe (emergency)
- Heart attack (CK-MB fraction)
- Statins
- Hypothyroidism
Rhabdomyolysis Warning
- CK above 5,000 = emergency
- Can cause kidney failure
- Dark urine + severe muscle pain = urgent
Source: NLM MedlinePlus, American Association for Clinical Chemistry.
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