CPK

Test Code

CPK

Alias/See Also

Creatine Kinase, CK, CKI, Cardiac Profile (CK only)

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 2 hours, Refrigerated: 7 days, Frozen: 1 month

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

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Reference Range

Age	Female	Male
Adult (>18 years):	21 – 215 U/L	32 – 232 U/L
Pediatric:
0– 90 days	43-474	29-303
3 – 12 months	27-242	25-172
13 months – 23 months	25-177	28-162
2 – 10 years	25-177	31-152
11 – 14 years	31-172	31-152
15 – 18 years	28-142	34-147

Clinical Significance

Measurements of Creatine Kinase are used in the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction and muscle disease, such as progressive Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy. Creatine Kinase (CK) is an enzyme that is found primarily in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and brain tissue. Elevated levels of CK are associated with myocardial infarction and various muscle disorders. In myocardial infarction, peak CK levels occur 24 to 36 hours after onset of chest pain and depending on the extent of damage can reach more than 10 times normal levels. In Reye’s Syndrome, up to a 70-fold increase in CK activity may be seen due to severe encephalopathy.

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.