Creatine Kinase (CK) CPT: 82550
Special Instructions
State patient’s sex on the request form.
Expected Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (heparin) tube
Collection
Separate serum or plasma from cells. Avoid prolonged contact of serum or plasma with red cells.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Stability Requirements
Patient Preparation
Avoid exercise before venipuncture. Increases may be anticipated in the immediate postoperative period following surgical procedures involving incision through muscle.
Patient Information
To detect and monitor muscle damage; to help diagnose conditions associated with muscle damage; for heart attack detection, this test has been largely replaced by troponin T and I – markers more specific to cardiac tissue; however, it may sometimes be used to help detect a second or subsequent heart attack.
When you have muscle weakness, muscle aches, and/or dark urine and your healthcare practitioner suspects muscle damage; sometimes to monitor for muscle injury resolution or persistence.
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.