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Original poster

CK levels (creatinine kinase)

29 replies

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 14:25

Hello
I don't know if I'm worrying for nothing or if I should be worried. I had a whole host of blood tests done as a general health check (FBC, liver, biochem etc) and all was completely normal, however I noticed that my CK level was 195, and the range is 25-200, so it's definitely on the higher end. GP said we will retest in 2 weeks but in the meantime I'm worried as I know this can indicate heart muscle damage or potentially indicate muscle diseases or even cancer. Has anyone had any experience with high levels of CK and what it could mean?? I don't have any symptoms

OP posts:

Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 14:36

Bump? Anyone?

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Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 15:31

Bumping again...

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Sinead4ever · 04/09/2023 15:50

I have had lots of blood test recently and the nurse said if things are in the normal range even at the high or low end it is fine

Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 16:05

Thanks @Sinead4ever, but there are scary things associated with this marker and I don't understand why it is high, even if within range. I can't help but worry....

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Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 16:20

Also I need to have it rechecked in 2 weeks which worries me...

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Anyonebut · 04/09/2023 16:22

Do you take statins for Cholesterol? Elevated CK can be a side effect

Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 16:32

@Anyonebut I read that too but I'm not on any medication

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Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 17:56

It doesn't sound like anyone has experienced this? 😞

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Greybeardy · 04/09/2023 18:04

Your result is normal. CK fluctuates in response to all sorts of stuff, exercise is probably the commonest. Why was it being tested if you don’t have any symptoms?

Gassylady · 04/09/2023 18:10

Because of the way “normal” ranges are constructed 5% of healthy people have a result outside the accepted range. Yours is within the normal so is normal! There is always a bit a variation when measuring as well probably three or four units for a test like CK ie 195 today, 191 next week and maybe even 203 the week after that.
If you are not unwell this can safely be ignored, a perfect illustration of the danger of routine blood tests. Perhaps the GP has suggested repeating it in response to your obvious anxiety to try and reassure you.

jazzyfips · 04/09/2023 18:19

It’s normal. Mine was 150000 last year! Went into kidney failure and had to be flushed with several bags of fluid. They discharged me when it was still 4000 and weren’t worried.

Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 18:43

@jazzyfips sorry to hear that, did you find out the cause?

@Greybeardy the CK test was included in the panel of bloods as part of a general health test. It was done as part of routine health check therefore no symptoms.

@Gassylady yes the GP knew how anxious I was, therefore I think she said repeat due to that.

I do have healthy anxiety, hence why I feel so worried.

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jazzyfips · 04/09/2023 18:50

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 18:43

@jazzyfips sorry to hear that, did you find out the cause?

@Greybeardy the CK test was included in the panel of bloods as part of a general health test. It was done as part of routine health check therefore no symptoms.

@Gassylady yes the GP knew how anxious I was, therefore I think she said repeat due to that.

I do have healthy anxiety, hence why I feel so worried.

It was rhabdomyolysis due to a rather enthusiastic personal trainer!

Gassylady · 04/09/2023 19:04

Wow @jazzyfips that must have been quite the training session!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/09/2023 19:12

Are you under a lot of stress at the moment? Could this be part of developing some degree of clinical (ie, needing treating) health anxiety?

It could be raised due to doing a bit more cleaning or exercise than usual, busy at work, gallstones, so many things that aren't heart failure or cancer.

jazzyfips · 04/09/2023 19:38

Gassylady · 04/09/2023 19:04

Wow @jazzyfips that must have been quite the training session!

It was! I had arms like Popeye when I’d finished but it was all fluid and no muscle……in fact I lost about an inch of muscle from my forearms and there wasn’t much there to begin with😂

Original poster

Els1983 · 04/09/2023 19:54

@NeverDropYourMooncup, can it really be related to gallstones? I didn't see that online but so interesting as I was having a gallstone flare up at the time of the blood test!

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DarlingClementine85 · 04/09/2023 20:08

It's in the normal range, it's ok! I've had several FBC tests and sometimes the results of some things are on the low or high side - either just outside the normal range or close to the limits. I've driven myself half mad googling, and then at the next FBC the results are completely different, and always moved to within normal range. So much depends on whether you're under stress, your diet, exercise, coming down with a bug etc etc. Chances are in two weeks the result will be totally different, and if it isn't your GP will investigate. Hugs, from a reformed hypochondriac, I know what it's like 😆

slopsan · 04/09/2023 20:25

Health anxiety is awful, but rarely helped by investigations, and never by the patient looking at the results. Leave the interpretation of any results to your GP!

AnnaMagnani · 04/09/2023 20:31

It's normal and I'm struggling to think of a sensible reason to check it in a general health check as it's not going to tell you anything.

In your case all it's done is create worry and the extra work (and worry) of checking it another time.

Starlightstarbright2 · 04/09/2023 20:32

Mine is high as was my white blood cell count - I don’t know the figure just it was red on the nurses computer as asked to repeat in a month.

I don’t know as exact number help as you are not a physician .

Original poster

Els1983 · 05/09/2023 08:14

Thank you everyone, it does make me feel better to hear all your replies. I wish my health anxiety didn't take hold like this. I wish I could be happy that all my results were normal, instead of focusing on one result which is at the higher end of normal.
@Starlightstarbright2 , do you know why yours might have been high?

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Starlightstarbright2 · 05/09/2023 10:06

No idea - it can be random so not concerning myself till I have repeat blood test.

I have various conditions trying to get on top of gastritis/ ibs - also have hypertension which has required my medication to be adjusted a few months ago.

if there is an issue it’s been picked up early .. so I am not overly concerned .

if you have health anxiety my advice is keep away from google

Baby4due2023 · 10/10/2023 21:44

@Els1983 hi

jusy wondering how your repeat blood test went? Had my results today and are slightly higher than yours and not within normal range at 274

freaking myself out waiting to speak to dr thursday

ThatBeachLyfe · 10/10/2023 21:47

@jazzyfips i had the exact same a few years ago following an intense PT session. Upper arms became very swollen and PT sent me to GP who said I had elevated levels of CK. Can’t remember what the numbers were but all was fine after a couple days.

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