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Creatine Kinase
Access Medical Labs · Quest Diagnostics2 test optionsFrom $9.05
Creatine Kinase
Access Medical Labs · Quest DiagnosticsCatalog information reviewed: August 24, 2026 by the Sunridge Medical clinical team.
What this laboratory test evaluates
Creatine Kinase (CK), Total
This measures the level of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood. CK is found in various tissues including the heart and skeletal muscles. Elevated levels of CK can indicate muscle damage due to injury, strenuous exercise, muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy, or more serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Who might need this test?The test helps diagnose and monitor conditions related to muscle injury or certain muscle diseases. Other reasons for high CK levels can include hypothyroidism, heart attack, kidney failure, muscle injury, intense exercise, some medications, or brain damage in newborns. This may include conditions like: • Inflammatory muscle diseases (like viral myositis)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Malignant hyperthermia
What type of sample is required for this test?
1 mL serum.
Plasma collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) or lithium heparin (green-top) tube.
If CK and CK Isoenzymes are ordered together, specimen must be submitted frozen.
Test Resources
For more information, please consult your healthcare provider.
Additional test information
Creatine Kinase (CK), Total – measures the level of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood. CK is found in various tissues including the heart and skeletal muscles. Elevated levels of CK can indicate muscle damage due to injury, strenuous exercise, muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy, or more serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Collection and processing
- Sample type: Serum
- Fasting: No
- Estimated laboratory processing: Results should be available in 2 – 5 business days after the sample is collected
How Sunridge uses laboratory information
Sunridge considers the medical question, symptoms, history, medications, prior results, and whether the finding could change care before recommending testing. A laboratory result is not interpreted in isolation and does not establish a diagnosis by itself.
Before requesting this test
Availability, collection requirements, eligibility, and processing estimates can change. Sunridge reviews each request and, when appropriate, creates the order through Fullscript. Follow the current instructions supplied with the approved order.
Common questions about this laboratory test
- What sample does this test require?
- The listed sample type is Serum. Confirm current collection instructions in the approved order.
- Does this test require fasting?
- The current catalog record lists fasting as: No. Follow the instructions supplied with the approved order.
- How long does laboratory processing usually take?
- Results should be available in 2 – 5 business days after the sample is collected. Timing can change after collection or if a laboratory requires additional review.
About this test
Creatine Kinase (CK), Total
This measures the level of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood. CK is found in various tissues including the heart and skeletal muscles. Elevated levels of CK can indicate muscle damage due to injury, strenuous exercise, muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy, or more serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Who might need this test?The test helps diagnose and monitor conditions related to muscle injury or certain muscle diseases. Other reasons for high CK levels can include hypothyroidism, heart attack, kidney failure, muscle injury, intense exercise, some medications, or brain damage in newborns. This may include conditions like: • Inflammatory muscle diseases (like viral myositis)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Malignant hyperthermia
What type of sample is required for this test?
1 mL serum.
Plasma collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) or lithium heparin (green-top) tube.
If CK and CK Isoenzymes are ordered together, specimen must be submitted frozen.
Test Resources
For more information, please consult your healthcare provider.
Additional details
Creatine Kinase (CK), Total - measures the level of the enzyme creatine kinase in the blood. CK is found in various tissues including the heart and skeletal muscles. Elevated levels of CK can indicate muscle damage due to injury, strenuous exercise, muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy, or more serious conditions such as a heart attack.
Highlighted health areas
- Cardiovascular
- Metabolic function
Biomarkers and report focus
The exact analytes and report format can change. Confirm the current contents in the Fullscript order before payment.
- Creatine kinase (ck), total