Creatine Kinase (CK)

Test Code

CK1

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB62

CK (Creatine Kinase)
CPK (Creatine Phosphokinase)
Creatine Phosphokinase

CPT Codes
82550

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 2 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Undefined

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, moderately or grossly hemolyzed, QNS.

Methodology

NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine)

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Moderate to severely hemolyzed specimens may affect CK results.
Interferences from medications or endogenous substances may affect results.

Reference Range

0 -150 Years
Male: 47 - 267 U/L
Female: 29 - 168 U/L

Clinical Significance

Measurements of creatine kinase are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with skeletal muscle, heart, central nervous system, and thyroid. CK elevations may also be seen in Cerebrovascular accident (CVA, stroke), postictical state of grand mal seizure, cocaine intoxication, and rheumatoid arthritis. Total CK elevations are also seen following trauma, surgery, exercise, and ectopic pregnancy. In acute rhabdomyolysis with severe muscle destruction, serum CK activities exceeding 200 times the upper reference limit may be found. CK may not elevate for up to 6 hours following acute AMI, and normally returns to baseline 48 - 72 hours following onset.

Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 6, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.