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What Causes Elevated Levels Of Creatine Kinase?
I had a blood test reading on CK at 527 in a 24-204 range. I am 69 but do 3-4 hours strenuous exercise on bike per week, plus I do heavy weight training. Rest of urine tests seem OK. Function seems normal. I take Arginine and other Aminos and some Creatine suppliments. TReat for high BP, Cholesteral and had treatment for Graves disease in the 90s. Concerns?
Tue, 5 Jan 2021
Hello.
Most likely, your mild elevation in CK is from your physical exercise as you strain and buildup your muscles. This is expected in otherwise healthy people who do physical exercise. Studies have shown creatine supplementation should not affect CK levels. Creatine Kinase can be from other sources and some medications like cholesterol medications can increase it. CK can come from brain, heart muscle or skeletal (normal) muscles.
To explore this further, you could get further testing to see if it worsens or improves. CK can go very high, so 500 is not worrying. Temporarily stopping exercise for a week and checking your levels could help to see if it is from your strenuous exercise regimen. An elevated CK from exercise does not mean you have to stop exercising. You could also try stopping your creatine supplementation (just in case) to see if it helps.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Wong, General & Family Physician
Most likely, your mild elevation in CK is from your physical exercise as you strain and buildup your muscles. This is expected in otherwise healthy people who do physical exercise. Studies have shown creatine supplementation should not affect CK levels. Creatine Kinase can be from other sources and some medications like cholesterol medications can increase it. CK can come from brain, heart muscle or skeletal (normal) muscles.
To explore this further, you could get further testing to see if it worsens or improves. CK can go very high, so 500 is not worrying. Temporarily stopping exercise for a week and checking your levels could help to see if it is from your strenuous exercise regimen. An elevated CK from exercise does not mean you have to stop exercising. You could also try stopping your creatine supplementation (just in case) to see if it helps.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Wong, General & Family Physician
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