Elevated CPK Level: Doctor Visit Needed

I went to the dr. on friday due to having some pain in my shoulder, arm and hand. The doctor blew it off and said she did not know what was causing it. She did order some blood tests and called today with the results and all was normal except for an elevated cpk level. I asked the nurse who called what that meant and she said she did not know and that I would have to come in and talk to the doctor about that. In the mean time I am back to freaking out. I did a search on here to see if it was brought up before and did not get a whole lot of info other than it can happen with bfs. Upon searcing more I discovered it can be an indicator of a neuromuscular disorder like you know what. So I am paranoid.......again. Does anyone on here know much about it? Mine was, I believe, 370 something. Any info would be appreciated.

I know there are alot of reasons for raised CPK levels and actually I think it's documented that they can be high in BFS sufferers. Also, did you exercise before the test? That can raise it also. I don't think 370 is that high but I would just ask your doctor. Try to to freak out. I have read about many people on here who have had elevated CPK levels.

I totally understand your concern as I've been there although not with CPK levels. I've learned with some of my positive findings (i.e. denervation on a muscle biopsy) that they can be consistent with ALS and with a whole host of other neuro issues which are NOT ALS. Many findings are just associated with nerve issues generally and do not point to a specific illness. If you twitch, that in itself tells you "something" is happening with the nerves so it would not be strange for other things that show nerve issues to also surface.

This is nothing to worry about. Elevated CPK levels are extremely non specific and could be caused by various HARMLESS conditions. The most common one is physical exercise or injury (it could be a very slight injury, one that you wouldn't even notice such as getting hit by your bed when you get up in the morning). As mentioned before, you should not be doing any physical exercise 4-5 days prior to the blood test and also not to use needles (apparently even a needle inserted to your muscle could cause elevated CPK levels). The reason why I researched this is because about 6-7 years ago I had elevated CPK level (around 500). I got freaked out since I was told that it may have something to do with the heart. A very nice and patient doctor explained to me what those levels mean and how common it is. 2 weeks later it was back to normal.You may also find some reassurance in using the search bar - there are many people here who experienced elevated CPK levels.Here's one for exampleon't give this another thought!

May - Did they ever tell you why your levels where elevated. I do exercise 5-6 days a week but just walking on a treadmill for about 40-45 minutes. I have not done anything recently that was strenuous. Do you think the walking could cause it to be slightly elevated? Do you think a sore neck and pain and the arm could be why it was elevated. I know you are not the doctor but was just curious. I go back to see her tomorrow to ask all my questions but it seems like tomorrow can't get here fast enough.

Since I wasn't doing any exercise back than when my CPK levels were elevated, the doctor suggested that it may be due to a small injury that I haven't even noticed. That is why he sent me to do the second blood test 2 weeks later to confirm his suspicions.I used to work with a guy who also had elevated CPK levels (in the thousands!). He underwent every test possible to find out the cause (heart disease was suspected). He was an accountant and physical exercise wasn't "his thing", thus this was not the cause. Eventually his CPK levels did settle down and his doctors couldn't really explain this.What I'm trying to say here is, again, this test is not a specific one that you could conclude anything from. "just walking on a treadmill for about 40-45 minutes" - This IS exercising dear. Exercise is not merely about straining yourself or practicing extreme sports.You are getting concerned over nothing here, really!

My CPK level has been hight (about 280/300) at least since 5 years -, much before I started twitching (16 months now).Doctors are not concerned, the only one to be concerned was me, but eventually I decided to accept it and ignore it

Yes, I had them high (and I maybe still have, just no one gives much about them) reaching the 400 mark. I would say, unless there is muscle pain/severe weakness and muscle waste, it does not seem to have much practical relevance. I know you may have read a lot about it, but have a look at my previous posts on the matter.