“Test Result?”
My endocrinologist ordered a blood test which included Creatinine Kinase. The result was 602 and the lab's norm is < 201. He said don't worry about it but I would like to know what it means.
I see him for diabetes type 2 and hypothyroidism. I take Metformin 500mg (24hr tablet) twice a day, Jardiance 10mg once a day, Januvia 50mg once a day and Levothyroxine 125 mcg tablet once a day.
He had stopped the Januvia for approximately 2 weeks when my glucose levels become very low, between 52 and 74. I had been taking it for years without any problems such as that but my glucose levels were still high when taking it (anywhere from 109 to over 200). So he added the Jardiance.
Is the creatinine kinase level related to my diabetes? If not what causes the level to be so high?
Thank you for your help.
I see him for diabetes type 2 and hypothyroidism. I take Metformin 500mg (24hr tablet) twice a day, Jardiance 10mg once a day, Januvia 50mg once a day and Levothyroxine 125 mcg tablet once a day.
He had stopped the Januvia for approximately 2 weeks when my glucose levels become very low, between 52 and 74. I had been taking it for years without any problems such as that but my glucose levels were still high when taking it (anywhere from 109 to over 200). So he added the Jardiance.
Is the creatinine kinase level related to my diabetes? If not what causes the level to be so high?
Thank you for your help.
Female | 64 years old
2 Answers
Endocrinology-DiabetesEndocrinology-Diabetes
Elevated levels of Creatine Kinase are usually associated with muscle breakdown. This can be from too strenuous of exercise, trauma, or not eating enough. In the case of Type 2 Diabetes, if not well controlled, can affect how your cells utilize sugar or not utilize sugar and could lead to an increased level of Creatine Kinase and metabolic myopathy. Metformin can also cause lacticacidosis leading to lactacidemia (too much lactic acid in the blood). This is especially the case if you drink alcohol while taking metformin and puts you at even greater risk of this to happen. Drinking alcohol can also cause low blood sugar and also stimulate muscle breakdown. If the creatine kinase level continues to go up it could become more of a problem and could even lead to kidney damage. Watch out for very dark or tea colored urine. This could indicate the condition in worsening. Others symptoms would include muscle weakness, fatigue, cramping, and spasm. I would have your levels of creatine kinase checked again in a month or two.
Are you also on a statin? Atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, something like that? CK is a muscle enzyme and when muscles are inflamed it can spill into the blood stream and that's what we measure. If you have muscle aches the statin you are on may be causing a bit of muscle inflammation or "myositis". If you can tolerate it then you can try CoQ10 that has been studied for statin related myositis, see if it works for you. If not, there are less potent statins that don't cause so much inflammation. If you tolerate it it's definitely worth staying on bc statins have been shown to reduce risk of death from all causes by 20% not many meds that can say that. Protects you from strokes and heart disease, so a few muscle aches and such are worth it if you tolerate it but if not there are other options that can do the same. All diabetics should be on a statin so is it related to your diabetes? In a way, yes!
