How high is too high for CK levels?
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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]. CK levels are around 70% higher in healthy African Americans, compared to people of European descent!
What diseases cause high CK levels?
Increased CK may be seen with, for example:

- Recent crush and compression muscle injuries, trauma, burns, and electrocution.
- Inherited myopathies, such as muscular dystrophy.
- Hormonal (endocrine) disorders, such as thyroid disorders, Addison disease or Cushing disease.
- Strenuous exercise.
- Prolonged surgeries.
- Seizures.
Is 1000 CK level high?
In this study, over half of the patients referred to rheumatology with CK concentrations greater than 1,000 IU/L were diagnosed with an IIM. This suggests that patients with a large CK elevation without an obvious non-IIM cause can benefit substantially from rheumatologic evaluation.
What level of CK is considered rhabdomyolysis?
We diagnose rhabdomyolysis in a patient with an acute muscular illness or injury based upon a marked acute elevation in serum CK; the CK is typically at least five times the upper limit of normal and is frequently greater than 5000 international units/L.

Can high CK levels cause death?
Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and other serum muscle enzymes. It can be a life-threatening condition due to associated conditions such as acute renal failure, severe electrolyte abnormalities, and acid base disorders.
How can I lower my CK levels quickly?
Here are 8 ways to naturally lower your creatinine levels.
- Don’t take supplements containing creatine.
- Reduce your protein intake.
- Eat more fiber.
- Talk with your healthcare provider about how much fluid you should drink.
- Lower your salt intake.
- Avoid overusing NSAIDs.
- Avoid smoking.
- Limit your alcohol intake.
What does a high CK total mean?
If you have higher than normal CK-MM enzymes, it may mean you have a muscle injury or disease, such as muscular dystrophy or rhabdomyolis. If you have higher than normal CK-MB enzymes, it may mean you have an inflammation of the heart muscle or are having or recently had a heart attack.
What does it feel like when your kidneys are shutting down?
Symptoms of kidney failure are due to the build-up of waste products and excess fluid in the body that may cause weakness, shortness of breath, lethargy, swelling, and confusion. Inability to remove potassium from the bloodstream may lead to abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death.
What is a high CPK level?
When the total CPK level is very high, it most often means there has been injury or stress to muscle tissue, the heart, or the brain. Muscle tissue injury is most likely. When a muscle is damaged, CPK leaks into the bloodstream. Finding which specific form of CPK is high helps determine which tissue has been damaged.
How long does it take for CK levels to go down?
Serum CK (Creatine Kinase) Serum CK begins to rise approximately 2 to 12 hours after the onset of muscle injury, peaks within 24 to 72 hours, and then declines gradually in 7–10 days.
What are the 5 stages of kidney failure?
Five stages of chronic kidney disease
- Stage 1 with normal or high GFR (GFR > 90 mL/min)
- Stage 2 Mild CKD (GFR = 60-89 mL/min)
- Stage 3A Moderate CKD (GFR = 45-59 mL/min)
- Stage 3B Moderate CKD (GFR = 30-44 mL/min)
- Stage 4 Severe CKD (GFR = 15-29 mL/min)
- Stage 5 End Stage CKD (GFR <15 mL/min)
What is the maximum CK level for kidney failure?
The risk of renal failure increases above 5,000 to 6,000 IU/L [2]. Interestingly, one series found that only patients with a peak CK greater than 20,000 IU/L failed to respond to diuresis and required dialysis [3].
What should I do if my creatine kinase levels are high?
If your creatine kinase levels are high, your doctor may order a creatine kinase isoenzyme tests to determine which type of creatine kinase enzyme is high [ 1, 2 ]: There is still no universally agreed upon range for creatine kinase.
What is a high CPK level after a triathlon?
After triathalons, athletes may have CPK elevations of greater than 20,000 IU/L without any renal compromise [2]. A review of 35 patients with exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis, with an average admission CPK level of 40,000 IU/L, revealed no cases of acute renal failure [4].
What does it mean if my CK level is normal?
It should be noted that in 5-10% of DM or PM patients the CK can be normal, often in the context of long-standing disease in which the muscles are thought to be too atrophic and destroyed to release a large amount of CK [10-12].