Other
Creatine Kinase (CK)
Other
Muscle enzyme. Elevated after intense exercise or in muscle/heart damage.
VAT-exempt medical service
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in the heart, brain, skeletal muscles, and other tissues. When muscle cells are damaged or destroyed, CK leaks into the bloodstream, causing elevated levels. Measuring CK helps detect and monitor conditions that cause muscle breakdown, from intense exercise and physical injury to heart attacks and chronic muscle diseases.
A CK test is useful for detecting and monitoring muscle damage when you experience muscle weakness, aches, or dark-coloured urine. It can help evaluate suspected conditions such as rhabdomyolysis, myocarditis, or heart attack. The test is also used to track ongoing muscle injury and to assess whether treatments are working.
What a high value can mean
High CK levels indicate that muscle tissue has been damaged. Causes range from strenuous exercise and physical injury to heart attack, stroke, hypothermia, or diabetes. A value 100 times normal may indicate rhabdomyolysis. People of African descent can have naturally higher CK levels. Moderately elevated levels can also occur temporarily after intense physical activity.
What a low value can mean
Low CK levels can result from muscle atrophy due to inactivity, malnutrition (especially protein deficiency), extreme weight loss, liver problems, pregnancy, or ageing. Low CK is generally not clinically significant on its own but may indicate decreased muscle mass.
No specific preparation is needed. Avoid strenuous exercise before the test as it can temporarily elevate CK levels. Bring valid ID to your appointment.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
Yes. Intense or unaccustomed exercise can temporarily raise CK levels due to minor muscle damage. Levels typically return to normal within a few days of rest.
Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue rapidly breaks down and releases its contents into the bloodstream. Very high CK levels — often 100 times normal — are a hallmark sign.
Yes. People of African descent can have naturally higher CK levels without any underlying muscle damage. This should be considered when interpreting results.