Creatine Kinase
The Creatine Kinase blood test measures an enzyme released when muscle tissue is damaged. It helps assess muscle injury, strain, or muscle-related conditions.
Turnaround time
1 day
Biomarkers count
1
Book your test
Choose Service Type
Professional phlebotomist comes to you
+ £{{ home_visit_fee }}
Visit our clinic for your test
{{ clinic_visit_fee > 0 ? '+ £' + clinic_visit_fee : 'Free' }}
Home Visit Details
Home visits require at least 24 hours notice.
Select a clinic: Sorting by distance…
{{ clinic.full_address }}
{{ selectedClinic.full_address }}
Select a date
Select an hour
Available time slots: {{ timeSlots.length}}
Details about Creatine Kinase
What is the Creatine Kinase test?
The Creatine Kinase (CK) blood test measures the level of creatine kinase, an enzyme found mainly in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and the brain. CK is released into the bloodstream when muscle cells are damaged or stressed.
Because CK rises in response to muscle injury, inflammation, or excessive strain, it is widely used to assess muscle health and integrity. Levels can increase after intense exercise, trauma, injections, or in certain medical conditions affecting muscle tissue.
The test is commonly requested in sports medicine, neurology, general medicine, and when investigating unexplained muscle symptoms.
Why do I need a Creatine Kinase test?
Creatine Kinase testing is useful when muscle damage or muscle stress is suspected, whether due to physical activity, injury, medication, or underlying disease.
It helps distinguish normal post-exercise muscle strain from clinically significant muscle injury.
You may need a Creatine Kinase test if you experience:
- Muscle pain or tenderness
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle stiffness or cramps
- Dark or cola-coloured urine
- Unexplained fatigue after exertion
- Muscle injury or trauma
- Suspected overtraining
- Use of medications affecting muscles (e.g. statins)
CK testing is also used to monitor recovery and assess the severity of muscle involvement.
Benefits of the Creatine Kinase test
- Detects muscle damage
CK rises when muscle cells are injured. - Assesses exercise-related strain
Useful in athletes and active individuals. - Supports investigation of muscle pain or weakness
Helps clarify muscular causes. - Monitors medication-related muscle effects
Commonly used with statin therapy. - Aids assessment after injury or trauma
Reflects muscle tissue breakdown. - Simple and widely used blood test
Requires only a blood sample. - Useful for monitoring recovery
Tracks CK reduction as muscles heal. - Supports clinical decision-making
Helps guide further investigation or rest.
Step by step – how the test works
You can access Creatine Kinase testing UK-wide through two options:
- Clinic appointment
Choose your nearest UK clinic, where a healthcare professional will take your blood sample. - At-home or hotel visit (£60 extra)
A qualified phlebotomist comes to your home or hotel, so you don’t need to travel.
Your sample is analysed in an accredited UK laboratory, and results are delivered securely.
Your results explained
Low CK levels
Usually considered normal and indicate no significant muscle damage.
Typical UK reference range:
- Within laboratory reference interval
Normal CK levels
Suggest healthy muscle tissue with no active muscle breakdown.
Typical UK reference range:
- Men: ~ 40–320 U/L
- Women: ~ 25–200 U/L
High CK levels
Indicate muscle damage or stress. Levels may rise after intense exercise, injury, inflammation, or in certain muscle or neurological conditions.
Typical UK interpretation:
- Mild elevation: recent exercise or minor injury
- Marked elevation: significant muscle injury or disease
Reference ranges vary by laboratory, sex, and activity level.
How It Works
Simple steps to get your results
Book Online
Choose your test online and book in seconds. Select your preferred clinic location or home visit option.
Visit or Test at Home
Attend one of our UK or London clinics, arrange a home nurse visit, or use a finger-prick kit where available.
Get Your Results
Your sample is analysed by accredited UK laboratories, with secure results delivered directly to you.
Take control of your health with London Blood Tests
WhatsApp UsHow to Prepare for Your Test
Follow these guidelines for accurate results
Sample Timing
Where possible, attend your blood test between 7am and 12pm. Please wait until any short-term illness or infection has fully resolved before testing. Avoid intense exercise for 24–48 hours beforehand, as this can affect certain markers.
Fasting & Hydration
Fasting is not always required, but some tests may recommend it. If fasting is advised, avoid food for 8–12 hours before your appointment and drink water only. Stay well hydrated, as this helps with sample collection and accuracy.
Medications & Supplements
Continue prescribed medications unless advised otherwise by your clinician. Avoid vitamin, mineral, or biotin supplements for at least 24–48 hours before your test, as these can interfere with results. If you are unsure about any medication or supplement, please let us know before your appointment.
Hormones & Menstrual Cycle
For hormone-related tests, timing within your menstrual cycle may be important. If relevant, follow any specific guidance provided on your test page.
If you have any questions or special circumstances, our team is happy to advise before your appointment.