I recently had my labs done, and the results showed elevated Creatine Kinase (CK) levels.
This sparked an opportunity to dive into two key topics:
1️⃣ What to do when lab results come back borderline or elevated.
2️⃣ The importance of hydration.
For context—Creatine Kinase is an enzyme that reflects muscle health. Elevated CK levels can signal muscle breakdown, which, in severe cases, leads to rhabdomyolysis. This condition can stress your kidneys and, if left unchecked, may cause serious health complications.
My CK level came back at 1200. To give perspective, normal CK levels typically sit around 300, and 1500 is the threshold for rhabdomyolysis.
Naturally, the first step I took was consulting my doctor to figure out how to bring my levels down. His advice? Hydration. Additionally, my liver enzymes were slightly elevated—another sign that dehydration might be the primary factor at play.
For the next three weeks, I’m committing to drinking 0.66 x my body weight (lbs) in ounces of water daily. After three weeks, I’ll retest to track progress.
If you’ve ever had labs come back borderline or elevated, I highly recommend:
🔹 Talking to your doctor to understand the results
🔹 Developing a plan of action
🔹 Retesting to ensure things are moving in the right direction
Reminder: I’m not a doctor and I don’t pretend to be one—just sharing my personal experience and what I’ve learned. Always consult with a healthcare professional when addressing lab results. I also discussed with my doctor that it’s not surprising that my CK levels were elevated because I workout so intensely. Having normal levels of CK is unlikely with my work ethic at the gym. Having said that, lowering the levels is a priority for me now.
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