Known as creatine phosphokinase or phosphocreatine kinase, is an enzyme that is found especially in the muscles and central nervous system. It catalyzes the conversion of creatine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into phosphocreatine and adenosine diphosphate.This test measures the amount of creatine kinase (CK) in the blood. CK is a type of protein, known as an enzyme. It is mostly found in your skeletal muscles and heart, with lesser amounts in the brain. Skeletal muscles are the muscles attached to your skeleton. They work with your bones to help you move and give your body power and strength. Heart muscles pump blood in and out of the heart.
There are three types of CK enzymes:
CK-MM, found mostly in skeletal muscles
CK-MB, found mostly in the heart muscle
CK-BB, found mostly in brain tissue
A small amount of CK in the blood is normal. Higher amounts can mean a health problem. Depending on the type and level of CK found, it can mean you have damage or disease of the skeletal muscles, heart, or brain.
Other names: CK, total CK, creatine phosphokinase, CPK