Overview
Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme responsible for regenerating ATP from ADP during muscle contraction. It exists in three isoenzymes: CK-MM (in muscles), CK-MB (in the heart), and CK-BB (in the brain). CK levels are typically higher in males due to greater muscle mass, and elevated CK can help assess muscle disorders like myopathy and conditions like rhabdomyolysis.
What is the CK-MB Test ?
Creatine Kinase (CK) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible phosphorylation of creatine (Cr) by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Physiologically, when muscle contracts, ATP is converted to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and CK catalyzes the rephosphorylation of ADP to ATP using creatine phosphate as the phosphorylation reservoir. The CK enzyme is a dimer composed of subunits derived from either muscle (M) or brain (B). Three isoenzymes have been identified: striated muscle (MM), heart tissue (MB), and brain (BB). Normal serum CK is predominantly the CK-MM isoenzyme. Serum CK concentrations are reflective of muscle mass causing males to have higher concentrations than females. CK may be measured to evaluate myopathy and to monitor patients with rhabdomyolysis for Acute Kidney injury.
What is the Purpose of the CK-MB Test ?
An CK-MB Test can be advised by your doctor for following reasons:
- Detecting Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): CK-MB (Creatine Kinase-MB) is a type of enzyme that is found in the heart muscle. Increased blood levels can help doctors confirm a heart attack by analyzing damage to the heart tissue.
- Monitoring Heart Injury: The CK-MB test can be used to diagnose heart attacks as well as track the progression of heart damage in individuals presenting with chest pain or other cardiac symptoms.
- Assessing Severity of Heart Damage: Healthcare professionals can assess the severity of the problem by analyzing the levels of CK-MB, which may provide information about the extent of cardiac injury.
- Guiding Treatment Decisions: Results from the CK-MB test can be used to decide whether to proceed for angioplasty or medication adjustments.
- Differentiating Between Heart and Skeletal Muscle Damage: Certain forms of CK (Creatine Kinase) get elevated in case of muscle damage happening elsewhere in the body. But this enzyme elevation specifically indicates heart muscle injury, aiding in accurate diagnosis.
When is a CK-MB Test Recommended ?
This Test of recommended if you have or suspected to have following symptoms or conditions:
- Muscle pain
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Balance problems and/or falling a lot
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Dark colored urine (pee)
- Swollen legs or feet
- History of injury that crushed or tore your muscles
- History serious burns
- Take certain medicines that may cause muscle damage (such as statins to lower blood cholesterol)
- History of stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Preparation for CK-MB Test
- Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, there is no need for you to make any special preparations before the CK-MB Test.
- Other blood tests can be carried out in addition to an CK-MB Test. If your doctor advises you to have multiple tests at once, they may ask you to fast for a specific period of time prior to a blood test.
- Drink adequate water before sample collection.
- Follow the preparatory instructions as guided by your doctor.
What is the Cost of a CK-MB Test ?
The Price of a CK-MB Test is Rs. 400. However, cost of the test may fluctuate depending on following factors:
- Other tests advised along with CK-MB Test
- Offers or discounts
- Empanelment of the patient
Components of CK-MB Test
- Creatine Kinase-M.B.: Whenever there is damage to the muscles, CK is released from the muscle cells and reaches the blood. Most of CK-MB is present in heart muscle, with trace amounts being present in the skeletal muscles. Usually, cardiac injury results in the release of CK-MB in substantial levels. The CK-MB test can be used to assess whether an elevated level of CK in the blood is indicative of cardiac damage or skeletal muscle injury.
Interpreting the CK-MB Test Results
A higher-than-normal CK level typically indicates some sort of Muscular injury. After certain injuries, CK levels might not peak for up to two days. To determine whether your levels rise or fall, you might need to undergo multiple CK tests. Elevations in C-Reactive Protein (CK) levels could indicate active muscle injury.
However, a CK test result is unable to identify the exact location of injury or its cause. When interpreting the findings of your tests, your doctor will take your medical history and symptoms into account. Normal reference values for serum CK–MB range from 3 to 5% (Percentage of total CK) or 5 to 25 IU/L.
How is the CK-MB Test Done ?
The Blood Sample for CK-MB Test is taken in following steps:
- The area where the needle will be inserted to take your blood is cleaned with an antiseptic alcohol wipe. The hollow on the inside side of the elbow or the tip of the finger are the most common sites for this.
- A tourniquet or a band is tied around your upper arm to facilitate the access to the vein in your arm.
- A needle is used to puncture your vein. The blood sample is collected into a test tube attached to the needle. The needle may cause a small pinch or sting when it is inserted.
- Once the vial or test tube is filled, the blood sample collection for the test is finished and the needle is taken out.
- Finger pressure is applied on the puncture site to stop the bleeding and the band aid is applied at the site.
- Blood collection typically takes less than five minutes.
- Temporary throbbing and bruising, as well as mild discomfort or stinging when the needle is inserted, are all possible side effects of a blood draw.
How to Schedule a CK-MB Test with Dr. B. Lal Lab ?
- Go to the Dr. B. Lal Lab website.
- Go to the “Book a test” tab.
- Select the “Lab Test” tab.
- Type “CK-MB Test” in the search bar.
- Click on the test.
- The test page with all the test details will show up.
- Click on “Book Now”.
- Login and verify your mobile number with OTP.
- Now enter your details.
- Select date & time for booking CK-MB Test in Jaipur.
- Check out.