Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

Creatine Kinase

Ordering information:

Marker of muscle damamge - usefull to determine kidney risk in comparment syndrome, crush injuries, patients with a long lie/ long immobility. NOT FOR CARDIAC USE.

Alternate names:

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab
Sample haemolysis may make this test unreportable

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

0.5 mL

Notes:

CK should only be used in the early stages of myocardial infarction. If the CK is normal shortly after onset of chest pain, thought to be of myocardial origin, then a repeat estimation 3-4 hrs later may be helpful

Skeletal muscle CK is elevated in several situations, eg: post-operatively, after intramuscular injections, following trauma or vigourous exercise, and in some diseases of skeletal muscle

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Reference Interval:

Males	60 - 220 U/L
Females	30 - 180 U/L

The reference range is skewed. CK values > 220 are not uncommon in healthy 'normals'.