Creatine Kinase is the expanded form of the CK blood test. CK is needed by your muscles to function promptly. Creatine Kinase levels in the blood will be elevated due to medical conditions such as inflammation of muscles, muscle damage, or rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of muscle tissue). It can also be higher after consuming alcohol and/or other medical supplements.
The article below covers all the significant topic asked on Creatine Kinase Blood tests, their normal range, and more.
- Creatine Kinase Blood Test Cost
- What is the CK blood test?
- What is CK in blood & why is it important?
- How is the Creatine Kinase blood test performed?
- Is there any preparation required before the Test?
- Are there any risks in the Creatine Kinase blood test?
- CK blood test results explained
- CK blood test: High
- CK blood test: Low
- Providers Locations
For our readers, who are very much interested in knowing the CK Blood test cost beforehand, we would like to begin with that section.
CK Blood Test Cost
The cost of the Creatine Kinase blood test ranges between $28 and $47 in different labs and facilities across the U.S. No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days. Doctor consultation is also available for further treatment or for any kind of medical advice.
The following table shows the CK blood test cost at 2 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
HealthLabs
| Offer Price$28 |
Personal Testing Labs
| Offer Price$47 |
Cost of CK blood test cost with insurance
Many health insurance policies in the U.S. do not cover the cost of the CK blood test. Also, the coverage offered by private health insurance policies and national health insurance programs varies widely. So we recommend you to check with your insurance company.
Our Creatine Kinase blood testing providers do not accept any health insurance. But, on request, they can provide you with a receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is the CK Blood Test?
CK is a blood test ordered to monitor the levels of Creatine Kinase in your blood. CK is a type of protein that is necessary for muscles to functions properly.
There are three types of CK enzymes:
- CK-MM, found mostly in skeletal muscles
- CK-MB, found mostly in the heart muscle
- CK-BB, found mostly in brain tissue
Your CK levels will be higher in the following cases –
- Muscle damage
- Heart attack
- Exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Certain medications or supplements.
CK blood test is also ordered in case of stroke. Sometimes, your CK levels won’t be elevated until 48 hours since the injury, in this case, you’ll be asked to take them multiple times to know the accurate situation of your condition.
What is CK in blood & why is it important?
The CK blood test helps in diagnosing acute heart muscle damage which can be caused due to lack of blood flow or skeletal muscular damage. The levels of CK in your blood increase when there has been a recent muscle injury as the enzyme is released into the blood following the damage. In patients with hypothyroidism, malignant hyperthermia syndrome, rhabdomyolysis (rapid muscle tissue breakdown), and muscular diseases like muscular dystrophy, the CK levels are higher than usual.
If you had chest pain, your CK levels (particularly the CK-MB form) is monitored closely to know whether you had a heart attack
Following are some other symptoms when a CK blood test is ordered.
- Muscle pain and/or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Balance problems
- Numbness or tingling
- Dark urine
In the case of a heart attack, in the initial 4 – 6 hours, the CK levels in the blood are not abruptly high, they start to rise. However, as time lapses, it reaches the peak levels in about 18 to 24 hours and returns to normal in about 2 to 3 days. The Creatine Kinase blood test also indicates whether other muscles are damaged.
How is the CK blood test performed?
As the name suggests, the CK blood test is a simple blood test. During this test, a lab technician or a phlebotomist will cleanse the skin with an antiseptic and place an elastic band around the upper arm so that the vein becomes visible and swells with blood. He/she then injects a needle and draws a sample of blood in a test tube. After the blood is drawn, he covers the injected area with a band-aid to stop bleeding. The typical blood specimen is then sent to the lab for analysis.
It takes less than 10 minutes to perform this test.
Is there any preparation required before the test?
Avoid working out or doing any hardcore physical activities before providing your blood sample for the CK blood analysis. Other than these, there are no special preparations required before the test. You can continue to have regular food plans and usual daily activities.
Are there any risks in the CK blood test?
There is no possible risk or complication in taking the Creatine Kinase blood test. You might have slight pain or bruise in the injected area for a very little period.
CK blood test results explained
Normal and healthy CK blood test levels should range between 22 to 198 U/L (units per liter). However, this range varies widely depending on a number of factors such as gender, race, and activity.
CK blood test: High
If your CK blood test levels are higher than 198 U/L (units per liter), then your CK levels are elevated. High CK levels may be a result of one or more of the following medical conditions –
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI)
- Muscular dystrophies
- Dermatomyositis
- Myocarditis
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Reye’s syndrome
- Severe trauma
- Infectious disease
- Loss of blood supply to a muscle
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Reye’s syndrome
- Tetanus
High CK levels can also be due to trauma, surgery, and exercise.
CK blood test: Low
Generally, low or normal levels of CK protein in blood is considered healthy. By means of low, your CK blood test levels should stand between 22 to 198 U/L (units per liter), then it implies that there is not excess CK secreted in the bloodstream, thus, you do not have any heart attacks or muscle damage.
Providers Locations
The CK blood test can be done in any of the following locations across the U.S. by visiting the nearest lab. To know the Creatine Kinase blood test cost, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
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