[jenng]

My neurologist's assistant called today to tell me my CPK is 250. The last time I had this checked, about this time last year, it was 60. My adolase level was normal, but I didn't ask her what it was. Could one be elevated so much, and the other be normal?

I am hypothyroid, but well-controlled on 50 mcg of synthroid.

He wants to redraw it in 2 weeks. Should I request individual levels ( heart-brain-muscle?) I have a suspicion I have some autonomic neuropathy, POTS maybe, but haven't been formally tested. I have motor damage in my left foot, a little bit of atrophy that seems unchanged, fasiculations they say are benign. Clinical strength tests are good except the last 2 toes on my left foot. Good strength in big toe.

This has me a bit freaked out.

[glenntaj]

--but not nearly as high as those of people with progressive muscle diseases, who often have CPK levels in the thousands or even tens of thousands.

It is possible that this is a lab error; it's also true, though, that having thyroid conditions can raise CPK levels somewhat (decrease in T3, in particular, leads to rises in CPK) as can vigorous exercise, especially if muscle is damaged. Caffeine, interestingly enough, also leads to some elevation at times (one doctor I know says he always asks people to abstain from coffee for 24 hours before getting this test done).

It might not be a bad idea to get additional testing for the specific CPK types just to see if something involving muscle injury shows up.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by glenntaj

It is possible that this is a lab error; it's also true, though, that having thyroid conditions can raise CPK levels somewhat (decrease in T3, in particular, leads to rises in CPK) as can vigorous exercise, especially if muscle is damaged. Caffeine, interestingly enough, also leads to some elevation at times (one doctor I know says he always asks people to abstain from coffee for 24 hours before getting this test done).

(WAG) These may be reasons for the redraw in 2 weeks.

Doc

[mrsD]

There are drugs that raise CPK levels.

Even plain old aspirin will raise CPK in some people:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/N...n/Q216234.html

[jenng]

Interesting link, I take none of these medications, but I have noticed soreness in my abdomen, midline to left side upper quadrant. Sometimes it feels like I've been sucking in my gut when I haven't, a very taut feeling. I have a decent layer of fat on it so it is hard to see much muscle. It is tender if you push on it. I asked my primary doc about this and she is sending me to a GI doc. Sometimes I feel going to the doctor is a waste of time/resources.

I will cut out caffeine, aspirin and no heavy exercise (not like the latter is a problem.) Get it redrawn and hope for the best.

I am really trying not to panic. My fasiculations are traveling to new places like my abdomen, back, triceps. I started a new job this week & my mother-in-law is dealing with stage 4 lung cancer. So there is some stress!

Thanks for responding. I feel a bit like I'm teetering on the edge.