The creatine kinase test is also known as the creatine phosphokinase test. It is a type of blood test. Blood is drawn from a vein in the upper forearm and sent to a laboratory for testing. There is no discomfort associated with the test except for the pin-prick felt when the needle is inserted into the skin to draw the blood. There is also no special preparation for the creatine kinase test. Strenuous physical activity must be avoided before the test for a period of up to 6 hours. The process of drawing blood is usually risk free. There is a small risk of bleeding from an improper puncture. There is also a small risk of infection developing on the site of the injury, but this is similar to the risk of infection developing on any injury where the skin surface has been compromised by a cut. See also creatine kinase normal range
The creatine kinase levels are significant to diagnose various different conditions. A creatine kinase elevation is associated with damage to some muscle tissue in the body. When a muscle gets damaged, it tends to leak creatine kinase into the blood. There are many different types of creatine kinase. The creatine kinase test is useful to detect which type of the substance has leaked into the blood. This could then be used to narrow down the source of the leakage and diagnose an injury in the area.
Creatine kinase levels are significant for the detection of a heart attack. When a heart attack happens, some of the heart muscle tissue gets damaged. This causes creatine kinase to leak into the blood stream. There are several different details within the test of creatine kinase which helps the doctor narrow down the source of the elevation and diagnose the problem that is affecting the patient. Creatine kinase elevation is seen in people who have suffered from heart attacks, strokes, brain injury, electric shock, convulsions or muscular dystrophies. A false positive test result is possible if the patient is suffering from thyroid problems. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause an elevated level of creatine kinase in the blood.
The creatine kinase test is one of the standard tests ordered on a patient who has been admitted to the emergency room with a suspected heart attack. While the doctors work to stabilize the patient, the levels will be quickly examined to see if the patient has indeed suffered from a heart attack or a stroke.More articles from the Blood Tests Category