In rhabdomyolysis, the CK levels can range anywhere from
10 000 to 200 000 or even higher
. The higher the CK levels, the greater will be the renal damage and associated complications.
What is considered a high CK level?
The upper normal limit for men is anywhere from 200 to 395 U/L (3.4 – 6.8 ukat/L) and for women, it’s
up to 207 U/L (3.52 ukat/L)
[3, 4, 5]. CK levels are around 70% higher in healthy African Americans, compared to people of European descent!
How high does CK have to be for rhabdomyolysis?
General investigations. The most reliable test in the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is the level of creatine kinase (CK) in the blood. This enzyme is released by damaged muscle, and levels above 1000 U/L (5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)) indicate rhabdomyolysis.
How do you rule out rhabdomyolysis?
The only way to know you have rhabdo is
through a blood test that checks for
the presence of a muscle protein, creatine kinase (CK), in the blood. If you suspect that you may have rhabdo, ask to have your CK levels checked. Symptoms can appear any time after muscle injury.
What labs are elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is confirmed by detecting elevated muscle enzymes in blood, which include
creatine phosphokinase (CPK), SGOT, SGPT, and LDH
. The levels of these enzymes rise as the muscle is destroyed in rhabdomyolysis.
What is a dangerously high CK level?
In the absence of specific myocardial or brain infarction, physical trauma, or disease, serum CK levels
greater than 5,000 U/L
are generally considered to indicate serious disturbance to muscle [10].
What is a normal CK level?
In a healthy adult, the serum CK level varies with a number of factors (gender, race and activity), but normal range is
22 to 198 U/L
(units per liter). Higher amounts of serum CK can indicate muscle damage due to chronic disease or acute muscle injury.
How long does it take for CK levels to go down?
Serum CK (Creatine Kinase)
Serum CK concentration, mainly the CK-MM subtype, is the most sensitive indicator of damage to muscles. Serum CK begins to rise approximately 2 to 12 hours after the onset of muscle injury, peaks within 24 to 72 hours, and then declines gradually in
7–10 days
.
What are the symptoms of high CK levels?
- Confusion or loss of consciousness, even for a brief moment.
- Garbled or slurred speech.
- Loss of vision or vision changes.
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Paralysis.
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
What diseases cause high CK levels?
Increased CK may be seen with, for example: Recent crush and compression muscle injuries, trauma, burns, and electrocution. Inherited myopathies, such as muscular dystrophy. Hormonal (endocrine) disorders, such as thyroid disorders,
Addison disease
or Cushing disease.
Can rhabdomyolysis cure itself?
Most causes of rhabdomyolysis
are reversible
. If rhabdomyolysis is related to a medical condition, such as diabetes or a thyroid disorder, appropriate treatment for the medical condition will be needed.
When should you suspect rhabdomyolysis?
We diagnose rhabdomyolysis in a patient with an
acute muscular illness or injury based upon a marked acute elevation in serum CK
; the CK is typically at least five times the upper limit of normal and is frequently greater than 5000 international units/L.
How quickly does rhabdomyolysis develop?
Symptoms usually develop
one to three days after the muscle injury
, though some people may not even notice muscle soreness. The main signs of rhabdomyolysis include: Muscle swelling.
How painful is Rhabdo?
Unlike DOMS, rhabdo causes
such extreme pain that the muscles become stiff and rigid
, such that its hard to move; people who’ve had rhabdo describe the pain as excruciating. In other words, you’re not likely to mistake it for the discomfort of a typical workout.
Are liver enzymes elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
Many clinicians are unaware that rhabdomyolysis is often associated with elevations of aminotransferases. Elevated AST levels have been
observed in 95 percent
of rhabdomyolysis cases and elevated ALT in 73 percent.
Is creatinine elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
The levels of BUN and creatinine, both markers of renal function, rise in cases of
rhabdomyolysis complicated by ARF
. Their ratio, as illustrated in our case, may not change significantly, or may even decline.
