Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Creatine Kinase
Creatine Kinase
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier
| Test | Creatine Kinase |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | CK |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier |
| Clinical Indication | Measurements of CK are primarily used in the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction as well as being the most sensitive indicator of muscle damage. CK is increased whenever there is necrosis or regeneration of muscle and is therefore elevated in most myopathies such as Duchenne-muscular dystrophy and in conditions associated with muscle necrosis such as rhabdomyolysis. Total CK can also be increased in Reyes syndrome. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 2 days at 20-25°C and 7 days at 2-8°C |
| Turnaround Time | Urgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | Female: 25 - 200 IU/L Male: 40 - 320 IU/L (Recommended by Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Haemolysis interferes with the measurement of CK. Therefore haemolysed samples are not suitable for analysis. Hydroxocobalamin and Cyanokit (cyanide antidote) may cause interference. |
| Notes |
