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serum creatine kinase level

Posted , 6 users are following.

margaret22251
margaret22251

can some one please tell me what my serum creatine kinase is as mine was over 300 now down to 140. Many thanks

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH margaret22251

    Posted

    Creatinie kinase (it used to be called creatinine phosphokinase) is an enzyme that is important in producing energy in cells. There are 3 different sorts so that figure is probably the total of all of them. One sort is found in muscle, one in brain and the last in heart muscle specifically. The largest amount is found in skeletal muscle so the blood test is often used to monitor muscle health - it is released from the cells if they are damaged for any reason. The heart one can indicate the patient has had a heart attack.

    It is raised in a whole range of muscular disorders - but is NOT raised in PMR so it is one test that can differentiate PMR from the several muscle disorders that can appear similar to PMR but they result  in a raised CK. Two of them are polymyositis and dermamyositis - and the symptoms are very very similar to PMR. The treatment is the same to start with too - high dose steroids. Sometimes pred doesn't work and then there are other drugs that WILL work even though they don't work in PMR. 

    The CK will be raised while the muscles are inflamed - they are autoimmune disorders too - but will fall to normal once the inflammation is under control or the disease process stops - which it most often does. Yours was high - but is now within normal range.

    • margaret22251
      margaret22251 EileenH

      Posted

      Many thanks Eileen, i have had an appointment cancelled at the hospital due in December, but  go on the 8th January so will see what they say.
    • EileenH
      EileenH margaret22251

      Posted

      I'm really looking forward to hearing what you are told. 

      Have a lovely Christmas Margaret - are you feeling quite good at present?

    • jean39702
      jean39702 EileenH

      Posted

      Are you speaking of Creatinine or something else?  
    • EileenH
      EileenH jean39702

      Posted

      The question is about creatine kinase - which used to be called creatinine phosphokinase. It isn't about creatinine and renal status if that is what you mean:

      "Serum creatinine (a blood measurement) is an important indicator of renal health because it is an easily measured byproduct of muscle metabolism that is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Creatinine itself is produced via a biological system involving creatine, phosphocreatine (also known as creatine phosphate), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, the body's immediate energy supply)."

    • jean39702
      jean39702 EileenH

      Posted

      I've received regular testing for creatinine, but to my knowledge have never been tested for creatinie kinase.

      The timing of this discussion is a little freaky.  I only recently became aware of Polymyositis and have done a little bit of research.  Enough to wonder if it has been sufficiently ruled out in my diagnosis.  The symptoms are so similar.  Is there any definitive difference in the presentation of PMR vs PM?

      PM?

    • EileenH
      EileenH jean39702

      Posted

      Creatine kinase - it will be raised in polymyositis and not in PMR. It is actually almost certainly one of the things that should be done as part of the differential diagnosis of PMR, you rule everything else out - until PMR is all that is left. I suppose I assume GPs will do it - but then again...

      There isn't too much to worry about in many senses - the treatment is the same, high dose pred. Except I suppose that it may need a much higher dose of pred than plain PMR - hence the reason for starting with a moderate dose and querying when/if that doesn't work. 

    • margaret22251
      margaret22251 EileenH

      Posted

      Thank you yes i feel well, apart from my feet which i can hardly walk, and the doctor confirmed no gout, so good news there, but  as  my December app was cancelled, she said to ring them for an emergecy app, if i dont hear anything she will write as she said 3 months is is a long time to wait.

      I hope you have a good pain free christmas Eileen, and wish you all the very best for 2016, and thank you for all your help it is very appreciated.

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