Your doctor will interpret this test, taking into account your medical history and other test results, and will repeat it if necessary. In dogs, both macroCK-2 and CK-BB (CK-1) were the next most frequent forms of CK, whereas in cats both macroenzymes were the second most frequent form. -Normal childbirth causes a 6-fold elevation in maternal serum For detection of myocardial infarction, changes in serum CK and its heart tissue (MB) isoenzyme have been largely replaced by the more cardiac-specific nonenzymatic markers, cardiac troponin I or T. Cautions This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Studies suggest that the more creatine kinase a person has within the normal range, the better their heart and muscles can function. 1983 May; 58(5):689-692. However, the CPK blood test can also be used to help diagnose reasons for muscular disorders (e.g. It is found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. Getting more exercise is one of the simple ways you can prevent a heart attack. CK stands for creatine kinase, an enzyme that leaks out of damaged muscle. Some pharmaceutical drugs also have the potential to increase CK: Finally, toxins like snake venom or carbon monoxide can increase CK levels [77, 78]. CK levels are particularly elevated in certain types of MD, such as Duchenne MD, and less elevated in others like Becker MD. This is an enzyme that can be found around the brain, the heart, and skeletal muscles. Of course, it is essential that you inform your doctor about any prescribed and/or over-the-counter medication, including any dietary supplements that you have been taking. Remember, always speak to your doctor before taking any supplements, because they may interfere with your health condition or your treatment/medications! CPK-2 is found in the heart, and any increased CPK-2 levels are linked to an injury to the heart, a heart attack, inflammation of the heart muscle, etc. Any kind of muscle strains are the primary causes of elevated creatine kinase levels. There are three different types of CPK CPK-1, CPK-2, and CPK-3; CPK-1 is found mainly in the lungs and the brain. What are the symptoms of high CPK levels? The larger range in men is primarily because of the generally higher muscle mass in the male body. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. C-reactive protein is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Normal CPK range for males. However, they increase in late pregnancy [90]. Because your age, health history, physical activity levels, and race can affect normal CPK results, your doctor will diagnose what your CPK blood test results mean for you. Elevated CK warrants prompt referral to neurology. Pediatric reference ranges were determined on hospitalized patients using the Hoffmann approach. Do not hesitate to get your CPK levels checked. and transmitted securely. Comparison of the diagnostic utility of CK, CK-MB (activity and mass), troponin T and troponin I in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction. According to research published by the University of California, omega-3 can help reduce the symptoms of a number of inflammatory diseases. Creatine kinase has a very short half life. Ask your provider what result is right for you. Total CPK normal values: 10 to 120 micrograms per liter (mcg/L) What is a normal CPK? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. muscular dystrophy), chronic muscle pain, or inflammation of the muscles.1, The CPK blood test usually shows total levels of creatine kinase in the blood, as well as percentages of isoenzymes that can help to identify where damage has occurred. cpk normal range in child. HealthHarvard. National Library of Medicine By testing for levels of troponin (protein that is usually elevated after a heart attack) doctors can identify the possibility that it was stroke and not cardiac-related issue.7, Other reports suggest that the high levels of CK in blood serum after a stroke can help to determine the best way to treatpatients who had recently suffered a stroke.8. Normal reference values for serum CKMB range from 3 to 5% (percentage of total CK) or 5 to 25 IU/L. According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, males tend to have normal CPK levels that are higher than females. This is due to men having more muscle mass than women. If you suspect neuromuscular weakness, include a CK as part of your evaluation. A blood sample is needed. This may be taken from a vein. Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that typically affects male children and will cause high CPK levels due to muscle loss. An official website of the United States government. This may be the feature that first brings them to clinical attention.) It is found mainly in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. The referring practitioner should continue to evaluate the childs motor development over time, in partnership with the therapists and other specialists. A 14 year old child is found to have mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase This is : Normal, indicated kidney disease, indicates bone disease Normal for growing children Given following results ALP HIGH, AST slight increase, ALT slight increase, yGT: marked increased this is most consistent with : When muscle tissue is damaged, CPK leaks into your blood. It will help your doctor to form a proper diagnosis and continue to plan an effective treatment plan. Generally, however, normal adult findings are between 1.0 to 7.5 units per liter. The European Journal of Nutrition reported that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and oily fish can help to boost the hearts health. Lose some weight if you are overweight. CPK blood tests the different forms of CPK in the bloodstream and the CPK normal range varies from a male to female. The normal CPK levels are known to variate according to age and sex. If you suspect muscle weakness, include a CK as part of your evaluation. Circulation. A meta-analysis of 14 studies concluded that light therapy (low-level laser therapy and/or light-emitting diode therapy) had beneficial effects on decreasing CK levels after exercise [84]. Procedure prep. Dr. James Beckerman, an expert in cardiovascular health at St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, says that myocarditis is rarely fatal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. A CPK blood test checks for levels of creatine phosphokinase (or, creatine kinase) in the blood. Test ID: CK. Is it normal to have high CPK levels during labor? Here to serve you But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. In a healthy adult, the serum CK level varies with a number of factors (gender, race and activity). Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Pediatric reference ranges for CKMB were not previously available and are important especially in the first year of life. Learn how we can help. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.1996 Mar;75(3):255-60. Finding which specific form of CPK is high helps determine which tissue has been damaged. In: Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Braunwald E, eds. opentable system design. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article discusses the test to measure the amount of CPK in the blood. Some studies indicate that healthy black men and women can have significantly higher values than the currently recognized normal range(s) up to 712 and 323 IU/L, respectively [5, 6, 7]. [2] Each has its pattern of inheritance, onset period, and the rate at which muscle is lost. However, some athletes show only moderate or no response (non-responders) (4). The majority of competitive athletes have raised CK level in the blood (2). The Western Journal of Medicine reports that higher than normal CPK-MB levels usually show up after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies All rights reserved. Why CPK-MB test is done? Male: 40 - 320 U/L Female: 25 - 200 U/L. 10th ed. Epub 2003 Dec 11. 2016 Aug; 95(33): e4344. This can cause higher than normal CK-MB results in a blood test.11, Inflammatory bowel disease also causes many uncomfortable symptoms in your digestive tract. Damage to muscles or tissue will result in these enzymes being released into the blood and they will show up in a CPK test.1, Doctors will usually check for abnormal creatine kinase levels if a person shows signs of a heart attack. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. None of these strategies should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes! Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that some common symptoms of a digestive system that doesnt work properly can include:12. Accessibility High plasma CK, even in the normal range, may decrease the ability of our blood to clot properly. Answered Apr 30, 2022. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5a645bb93c4db0a857dac15506ae8f0" );document.getElementById("a6cbe26769").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Child Health Issues; Cpk mb meaning and normal range. We're ranked #1 in pediatric cancer, heart surgery, cardiology & more. Higher amounts of serum CK can indicate muscle damage due to chronic disease or acute muscle injury. The main isoenzyme is CK-3 (CK-MM). In two studies with over 1.8k patients each, critically ill and chronic kidney disease patients with low creatine kinase levels had higher mortality rates [93, 94]. Garlic has many beneficial properties that can help to keep your heart healthy. He is the author of numerous health-related books and contributor to several medicine, health and wellbeing websites. The journal Stroke reports that stroke sufferers often have elevated CK levels. Between 26 and 192 U/L. If total CK activity is 100 U/L or greater, then isoenzyme electrophoresis (CKE) will be performed at an additional charge. 80th training command. Am J Med Genet.1985 Sep;22(1):81-7. Swaanenburg JC, Klaase JM, DeJongste MJ, Zimmerman KW, ten Duis HJ. Factors known to significantly affect the results: Reference ranges quoted above are based on studies in Caucasians, higher values are observed in black populations. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Rates of positive cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase MB mass among patients hospitalized for suspected acute coronary syndromes. Higher-than-normal CPK-1 levels: Because CPK-1 is found mostly in the brain and lungs, injury to either of these areas can increase CPK-1 levels. Also discover related tests such as creatine kinase (CK). 8 What causes high CPK levels in male children? Laboratory diagnosis of patients with acute chest pain. CK (Creatinine Kinase) . Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) is an enzyme in the body. If a patient has an indication for urgent referral, you should consider direct contact with the neurologists office to share concerns, as this may expedite the appointment. HeartOrg. We are dedicated to providing the most scientifically valid, unbiased, and comprehensive information on any given topic. Lin JC, Apple FS, Murakami MM, Luepker RV. 8600 Rockville Pike 2011 July-September; 65(3): 106111. A health care provider may also test for elevated liver enzymes when a child is feeling unwell. That is important because of the fact that certain medications, including anesthetics, steroids, antifungal medications, etc. . Obonyo NG, Olupot-Olupot P, Mpoya A, Nteziyaremye J, Chebet M, Uyoga S, Muhindo R, Fanning JP, Shiino K, Chan J, Fraser JF, Maitland K. Pediatr Crit Care Med. Referral to a specialist is indicated when a child fails to meet the motor milestones as described in the Signs of Weakness by Age surveillance aid. The initial CK level is 1,000-5,000 U/L. A mildly elevated CK (1-2x normal) should be followed up. Clin Chem Lab Med. Creatine enzymes are released from muscles or tissues if they are injured, damaged, or die off. The normal range is generally up to 250 U/L (units per liter) but varies by laboratory. Doctors usually arrange for a CPK blood test in an emergency situation, for example after a suspected heart attack to identify the extent of muscle damage. Pancreatic Elastase Stool Test Purpose, Procedure, Results, Normal Range, What is Cardiac Ablation? On the other hand, athletes have higher resting CK levels compared to non-athletes. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. These materials have been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. was last modified: April 21st, 2018 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer. Total creatine kinase levels are reduced in the second trimester of pregnancy. Stress-free visits The good thing about lycopene is that unlike many other components, it is not destroyed in cooking. The most reliable test in the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is the level of creatine kinase (CK) in the blood. Disclaimer. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. in children younger than early teenage, the percentage of CK-MB in plasma is higher than in adults, in the range of 14-26%. The results are later sent over to your doctor, who will discuss the results with you. This page reviews indications for CK testing in children ages 6 months to 5 years. A study suggests that creatine supplementation may help build muscle and increase creatine kinase activity in athletes [95]. A small study with 14 men showed that sports massage 2 hours after exercise decrease CK levels [83]. Looks like youre visiting Benioff Children's Hospitals on Internet Explorer. Its important to remember that blood test results usually show up some amount of creatine kinase in serum. The formula for the calculation of Cpk is Cpk = min(USL , LSL) / (3) where USL and LSL are the upper and lower specification limits, respectively. Normal CK does not rule out neuromuscular disease. . We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This is particularly true if a heart attack is suspected. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that tomato products can help to prevent cardiovascular disease and also reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.25 Also, researchers from Harvard Medical School reported that tomato-based products or lycopene supplements could help reduce your risk of stroke.26. Muscular dystrophy. MayoClinic. During episodes of acute muscle breakdown (i.e., rhabdomyolysis), CK levels can temporarily go off the scale, topping out at 50,000 to 200,000 U/L. 2023 HealthCheckUp.com. The CPK normal range for a male is between 39 - 308 U/L, while in females the CPK normal range is between 26 - 192 U/L. The reason that doctors may check for high CPK levels is that chest pain or discomfort during labor are often mistaken for a heart attack. The activity of CK in plasma will vary even in healthy subjects and, as noted above, may be significantly elevated following exercise. World-class docs According to Dr. Mythili Seetharaman, Consultant Rheumatologist, creatine kinase (CK) levels are usually elevated in persons with polymyositis, ranging from 5-50 times the reference range. There are principally two conditions where CK estimation may be requested. If you are not taking blood thinning medicines, such as warfarin, the normal range for your PT results is: 11 to 13.5 seconds INR of 0.8 to 1.1 If you are taking warfarin to prevent blood clots, your provider will most likely choose to keep your INR between 2.0 and 3.0. Who is the new host of Dancing with the Stars? 10 000 boys were then screened for Duchenne muscular dystrophy . Note: Urine the color of cola/tea, especially with muscle pain: send child immediately to the ER for urgent emergency intervention. Evaluate motor milestones in any child who has mild to moderate developmental delay of unknown etiology. In addition, lycopene is dissolved in fat, and adding olive oil, for example, will help its absorption in the body. For adult men, the normal levels of CPK are between 39 to 308 U/L, whereas for women, the normal CPK levels are between 26 to 192 U/L. a heart attack, stroke, sports injury, or muscle disease [1, 2]. Eur J Nutr.2017 Nov 25. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Polymyositis is an uncommon autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the muscles resulting in inflammation and the release of creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Exercise and training are the main cause of increased creatine kinase levels [10, 11, 12]. government site. Although higher CK levels are found in athletes, conversely, high CK levels are also found in obese and overweight people. If you have to give a blood test, then it may be a good idea to avoid strenuous exercising in the days beforehand. There are many ways that you can help to control an underactive thyroid naturally, although medication is usually necessary to treat thyroid conditions. Creatine kinase is an important enzyme needed for energy production and muscle function. People who have greater muscle mass have higher CK levels. SelfDecode does not treat, diagnose or cure any conditions, Pediatric reference ranges were determined on hospitalized patients using the Hoffmann approach. Of course, your doctor will run more tests to diagnose the underlying reasons for creatine kinase that is at abnormal levels. Stage 4 Kidney Disease: The kidneys are significantly damaged. CK levels usually peak within ~24-48 hours and then gradually decline. Refrain from strenuous exercise before testing. Health conditions like blocked arteries, severe stress, and high blood pressure can put extra strain on your heart and cause damage to the muscle tissue. Healthcare providers may use a myoglobin blood test to detect muscle damage. CK-MB is usually at undetectable levels in the blood CK-MB levels are reported as positive if they are above the 99th percentile of normal values, 5 to 25 ng/ml CK-MB must always be reported along with the CK-MB relative index to add sensitivity and specificity to the test If elevated CK persists, it is more likely to be due to an underlying health issue. Get your query answered 24*7 only on | Practo Consult. To ascertain that the rise in CK is due solely to exercise or exclude physical activity as a factor, the test should be repeated after a week of rest (i.e. (A personal phone call may also be helpful.). Creatine phosphokinase (a.k.a., creatine kinase, CPK, or CK) is an enzyme (a protein that helps to elicit chemical changes in your body) found in your heart, brain, and skeletal muscles. Doctors run CPK blood tests if a person complains of symptoms relating to muscle weakness. High liver enzymes may show up on a routine blood test during a child's yearly checkup. CK levels returned back to normal in 70% of the cases [8]. All practi-tioners are urged to consult the normal laboratory values for their local laboratory, as these may differ from those listed below. Rossi A, Hoogeveen IJ, Bastek VB, de Boer F, Montanari C, Meyer U, Maiorana A, Bordugo A, Dianin A, Campana C, Rigoldi M, Kishnani PS, Pendyal S, Strisciuglio P, Gasperini S, Parenti G, Parini R, Paci S, Melis D, Derks TGJ. Doctors regularly take blood tests to check for creatine kinase levels to monitor muscle damage in electrical injuries.9. Biomed Res Int. monthly budget of middle class family. Order a CK for a child who has unexplained gross motor delay. Elevated CK levels may indicate muscle injury or disease. Repeat the test after several weeks, and if you have concerns, consult with a neurologist. This is because the CK-MB levels are at the peak between 12 and 24 hours. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Therefore, high levels of CPK usually indicate some sort of stress or . The upper normal limit for men is anywhere from 200 to 395 U/L (3.4 - 6.8 ukat/L) and for women, it's up to 207 U/L (3.52 ukat/L) [ 3, 4, 5 ]. Similarly, in 4,500 people, CK levels were higher in people with greater body mass [4]. This is especially true if a child has abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or jaundice (yellowish color of the eyes or skin). There are also slight differences in normal ranges based on age and gender. When there is muscular damage, CPK leaks into the blood. When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. The Journal of Nutrition reported in 2016 that garlic supplements can provide cardiovascular protection by lowering cholesterol and hypertension levels.20, Change your diet. Critically ill people who are weaker (with less muscle mass) have a higher risk of dying [92]. The American Journal of Medical Genetics says that high CK-MB levels can help identify males who are at risk of the disease.17 Usually, the first signs of muscle damage are falling frequently, trouble running or jumping, muscle pain, and learning difficulties.18. Ranges were also obtained for CKMB, troponin I, and total CK. Walking can be possible until the early 30s. It does not store any personal data. Medical References CK levels transiently increase to over 30 times the upper normal limit within 24 hours of strenuous physical activity and then slowly decline back to normal over the next 7 days. Adults and children: 27-31 pg Newborns: 32-34 pg Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) Adults and children: 32-36 g/dl Newborns: 32-33 g/dl White blood cell count (WBC) Adults and children >2 yrs: 5000-10,000/cm 3 Children 2 yrs: 6200-17,000/mm 3 Elevated CPK levels in a blood test could also show up if a person has hypothyroidism, takes statins for a long time, or has an autoimmune condition. This could result in elevated levels of creatine kinase in blood serum when, in fact, there was no underlying medical condition.23. Higher amounts of this enzyme are found in tissues that use a lot of energy, such as the muscles (including the heart) and the brain [1]. This enzyme is released by damaged muscle, and levels above 1000 U/L (5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)) indicate rhabdomyolysis. Statins can also cause a coenzyme Q10 deficiency that also affects muscle tissue.14. Between 39 and 308 U/L. but none of their values fell outside the normal range for our laboratory (0 to 108 international units [IU]). The amount of CK in the serum is reported in units (U) of enzyme activity per liter (L) of serum. The normal CPK levels are known to variate according to age and sex. A high test result is a sign of inflammation. Athletes have more of this enzyme in their blood, but so do obese and overweight people. The same association was found in another study of 454 overweight and obese people [80]. Accommodations. Normal CPK range for females. Researchers from the University of Rochester say that creatine kinase (CK) are proteins in your bodys cells that keep cells functioning properly. The results are known to vary from person to person, depending on different conditions and injuries that had led to the increased levels of CPK in the first place. A CPK blood test that shows persistently high levels of creatine kinase could be an indicator of an autoimmune condition. Women with low body mass index were less likely to have an elevated CK, and overweight or obese men had an almost 2-fold greater odds of having an elevated CK. This is a medical emergency and patients should be referred to the nearest Emergency Department immediately. Using this code is the best way to ensure reimbursement for CK testing. 5.2k 2013 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 303312. Downloaded from It was found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet were at less risk of heart disease.21, Reducing stress. Other than that, there is only a small risk that side-effects such as fainting, lightheadedness, infection, or excessive bleeding would happen. The CPK blood test is also commonly used to detect the presence of the gene responsible for the development of muscular dystrophy later in life. [2] Alterations in specific genes cause different representations of this disease. A Clinical and Physiological Prospective Observational Study on the Management of Pediatric Shock in the Post-Fluid Expansion as Supportive Therapy Trial Era. CK-isoenzymes distribution. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. When you have sudden chest pain, try to meet your physician within 3-8 hours of the onset of the pain. This work represents an expansion in our knowledge base on pediatric reference ranges. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body. Creatine phosphokinase (CK) is an enzyme found mainly in the skeletal muscle, but also in the heart and brain. V alues are reference values from Texas Children ' s Hospital Clinical Laboratory, current as of August 2011. Increased CPK is often seen in lab test results in people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 2003;107:e2-e5. MayoMedicalLaboratories. A plus sign next to the number [1+, 2+, etc] means that the information is found within the full scientific study rather than the abstract. 33 yrs old Male asked about Cpk mb meaning and normal range, 1 doctor answered this and 30 people found it useful. The normal CPK range is measured in units per liter (U/L) and is as follows:3. Specimen requirements. However, please note that a normal CK does not rule out neuromuscular diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy; in this instance genetic testing is required to rule out the disorder. In a healthy adult, the serum CK level varies with a number of factors (gender, race and activity), but normal range is 22 to 198 U/L (units per liter) 1. Confusion or loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment. CPK is the most commonly used marker to assess the presence of cardiac muscle damage due to myocardial infarction (heart attack) or as a means to differentiate cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain. Cpk mb meaning and normal range. How to differentiate between UTI and Pregnancy Symptoms? When Dwight Eisenhower gave the Atoms for Peace speech what constructive use of nuclear energy was he introducing? This high creatine kinase levels can also give doctors an indication of the extent of muscle damage and recommend the best course of treatment.3, A doctor may also check for abnormal CPK levels if you have symptoms of cardiovascular disease. This can impact on skeletal muscle function and cause tissue to release CK enzymes into the blood. Normal CPK Levels For Adults How To Prepare For A CPK Blood Test? This Aid includes assessing weakness by age, clinical evaluation for muscle weakness, guidance on the use of CK testing, and the motor delay algorithm. DMD-related muscular dystrophy in Cameroon: Clinical and genetic profiles. The elevated Troponin I is found in the first year of life also represents new data. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 73. CPK-3 is found in the skeletal muscles. CK levels can be mildly elevated (~500 U/L) in neuropathies like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or anterior horn cell diseases like spinal muscular atrophy, or grossly elevated (~3,000 to >30,000 U/L) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy or some other muscular dystrophies. Elevated creatine kinase can be a sign of serious tissue damage or an underlying disease or disorder. Increased CPK-1 levels usually indicate a brain injury due to stroke, brain bleed, brain cancer, seizure, etc. Techniques, Purpose, Procedure, 5 Simple Ways To Increase HDL Cholesterol Levels. In individual cases, CK levels may occur that are clearly above 1000 U/L (3). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You will also learn about ways to keep your heart, bones, and brain function healthy to prevent health issues that can cause CPK levels to rise above normal. Frustrated by the lack of good information and tools, Joe decided to embark on a learning journey to decode his DNA and track his biomarkers in search of better health. Creatine kinase (known previously as creatine phosphokinase or CPK) is distinct from creatinine and is a biomarker of muscle damage. Elevated CK warrants prompt referral to neurology. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Fun fact: The highest creatine kinase on record was over a million and was caused solely by a heavy workout [17]! CPK is an enzyme that is found within muscle cells. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Referral to developmental pediatrician or pediatric rehab specialty may be an appropriate first referral for patients who do not have an indication for urgent referral. Patients having increased value for one or both. Creatine phosphokinase (CK) is an enzyme found mainly in the skeletal muscle, but also in the heart and brain. In pathological states increased serum enzyme concentrations (probably the expression of a defect in cellular permeability) are constantly present in the Duchenne type of progressive muscular dystrophy. The diurnal fluctuation in 97.5th percentiles for cortisol was only 10-20%. The journal Deutsches rzteblatt International reported that higher than normal CK levels are generally seen in professional or competitive athletes.