What Do Increased Creatine Kinase Levels Mean?
Elevated creatine kinase indicates muscle damage, or in some cases, over-exertion of muscles such as in lifting weights. The physician can determine through physical examination the possibility of heart attack verses a disease of the skeletal muscles. Further laboratory testing in the case of probable heart attack includes a CK-MB test and a Troponin Test. Total creatine kinase is comprised of isoenzymes related to different types of muscle. They are CK-MB (specific for heart), CK-MM, (specific for skeletal muscle), and CK-BB (specific for brain and lung tissue). Elevations of any of the three isoenzymes will increase the total creatine kinase. Laboratory tests in which there is an elevated total creatine kinase will prompt the physician to order a CK-MB if symptoms of a heart attack exist. The CK-MB test determines the portion of total creatine kinase that is related to heart muscle. In addition to total creatine kinase and CK-MB testing, Troponin levels are measured. Troponin is one
