Confused about blood tests
 

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone here happens to know what it means if a person has a low CPK. Mine is 28, and I don't really know what to make of it:confused:

One good thing, is that my hemoglobin has gone right up. It was 85 about a month and a half ago, and now it's 124- almost normal! :)

Thanks!
Nicky

Hi Nicky,

yes there are so many tests available, I usually ask the lady taking the blood if my Dr puts a new one on my list.

this is a great website I found ages ago and exlplains about lab tests. Hope its helpful, I did look for CPK on the Aussie website, but couldn't find it. May be it will be on the US site, I think you can access from it.
http://labtestsonline.org.au/understanding/index.html

take care
Kate

Hi Nicky,

CPK is creatin phosphokinase test. It is for determining if there is muscle damage (heart, brain, skeleton). Like when they suspect some one is having heart attack, they can confirm if this element is elevated.

the norm range is 12 - 80 milliunits/ml. Be happy your levels are in range and low!!

Sue

PS. info found online...not that smart....lol

Thanks, guys!

Actually, today, I found this little tidbit on low CPK levels...I guess that mine might be caused by prednisone...It says that it can occur in Cushing's or steroid therapy..

http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/44/5/905

It's interesting, because it says that if it's low, it can also signal muscle weakness, much like if it's too high; although it's not really from muscle damage, but maybe the way things are metabolized to create muscle...Maybe I should take a supplement...I'll check it out...

Do you know what's very interesting? I just read over the thread started by Jana, 'Is this why doctors don't take us seriously?'-something like that-the one that discusses neurosis and MG, and she referenced something a patient was complaining about from this site.

http://www.alsforums.com/forum/do-i-...breathing.html

When I looked up the low CK values, I came across the same patient a year ago...She was complaining about having low CK values and not knowing what it meant. It turns out that she has a thymoma. Here is what she was saying a year ago.

http://www.alsforums.com/forum/gener...t-results.html

Kinda interesting...I wonder if low CK is somehow related to thymoma...I mean, I had mine taken out about four months ago, but maybe it's residual...

Nicky

just wanted to add that I asked a neuro friend and she thought it would be advisable to check your vit. D levels.

Thank you, guys!

Thanks, Alice, for asking your friend- I'm almost positive that mine are low. I do take a supplement, but that was only started about 3-months ago...I'm due to see my family doc. anytime, and I will ask him to test my levels...I'm writing it down (I'm forgetful...lol)!

I really love this site-honestly- everyone is so helpful! Thank you, guys.

P.S. I am writing my appreciation post in the 'thanks for the support' thread! lol


Edited to add: Much like the lady from those threads (sammantha), I too was experiencing infectoins like crazy this past year and the year before. It's strange and relieving when you come across a person who is going through the same experience as you, and turns out to have the same, unusual ailments. I mean, I guess it makes sense, but there's so little research on thymoma, and the consequences/symptoms are so variable, that it's like finding a needle in a haystack. She also sorta eludes to digestive issues. I have had intermittent problems with digestion. My gastroenterologist, about a year ago, thought that I was having paralysis of my digestive system, and I think that she was right. I'm experiencing some of the same symptoms again. early fullness after eating very little food, that will spontaneously resolve. Thymoma is a real devil!

Nicky

Nicky, That low level can be from lots of different things, including arthritis.

I am not going to go apeshit right now (too much anyway). I might next week when I have more time. What you are describing, digestive-wise, sounds like not enough stomach acid. Are you on acid-blockers? When you don't have enough acid, your food cannot digest properly. It "dumps" into your small intestines. The nutrients cannot be absorbed properly because the foods has not been broken down well. You can have reactive hypoglycemia due to that. You get increased infections. Your food sits in the large intestines and peutrifies. You can get more allergies due to leaky gut from this.

I suffered for YEARS from a lack of stomach acid and had all those problems, which lead to vitamin deficiencies.

DO NOT assume everything is from MG. Very dangerous. What if it's celiac?

You really need a good internist to help you pull all this together, Nicky. I hope you have one or can find one.

Annie