Creatine kinase

Aliases: CK, CPK, creatine phosphokinase

Group: Enzyme

Description:

Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions in the body. CK helps make energy. Most of the CK in the body is in the skeletal muscles. CK is also present in the heart muscle and in small amounts in the brain. Normally, a small amount of CK gets into the blood from the usual wear and tear on the muscles. But if the muscles, heart, or brain tissues are damaged, larger amounts of CK leak out of the cells into the bloodstream. A CK test is mainly used to help diagnose and monitor injuries and diseases that damage skeletal muscles and cause high levels of CK in the blood. But it may also be used for conditions that damage the heart muscle and the brain.