CPK levels

[dirtywater]

I wasnt sure where to post this and I figured you guys would know better than anyone else. I went to the ER on Tuesday because I wasnt feeling too good and it looked like I was comming down with the flu.(Which I do have currently)

I've been bodybuilding since I was 17 and I got some size,so the doctor was giving me the 3rd degree on what I've been eating/lifting, ect. As soon as I said whey and that I was eating around 300grms of protein a day and that was it. I got the full panel of bloodwork.(which is cool,because I havent had one recently)Everything came back ok,except my CPK levels which were over 3,000. I spent the next 9 hours in the ER,getting IV after IV of Sodium Cholride.

So how serious is elevated CPK levels? I did a follow up with another doctor today and she ordered me another round of tests,including one for the liver. It doesnt make sense to me. If you're lifting, then you're obviously going to have elevated CPK levels which exceed the norm,especially if you're lifting heavy.

 

[dsh89]

You are correct. As quoted from Wikipedia:

"Elevation of CK is an indication of damage to muscle."

It is used as an indicator in heart attack, which is damage to heart muscle. Most doctors don't know a lot about lifting, and they have a skewed view. The problem is that you can cause so much damage to muscle tissue that you go into Rhabdomyolysis. And that is dangerous.

 

[dirtywater]

This is what the Hospital wrote on my discharge papers:

"Your weakness has been determined to be due to excessive use of protein supplements which causes a condition called Rhadomyolysis. You need to drink lots of fluids and DO NOT USE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS."

Follow up with your doctor.(Who is as cluless as the doctor who diagnosed me)

This what the top of the paper it reads:

WEAKNESS(in caps)- Uncertain Cause

"Based on your exam today, the exact cause of your weakness is not certain. Your condition does not seem to be a sign of serious illness at this time."

Isnt this some funny shit or what. If excessive protein causes Rhabdomyolsis, then everyone who's into bodybuilding/weightlifting and just supplementing their overall protein intake in general would be filling the hospital beds with this condition.

I have the flu which is why I had weakness as well as a mild grade fever.The problem is when you go to the hospital, its their job to find something wrong with you. By giving the doctor detail as to my lifestyle and eating habits, he was able to peice together this prognosis which doesnt even make sense.

The only time CPK levels are dangerous is when they are 20,000U/L and above. And Its not even the CPK levels you have to worry about, its when your muscles start releasing myglobin(the stuff that makes your muscle the red color) which is toxic to the kidneys.

The only way a person can acheive this level of CK is if they were in somekind of dramatic accident and they got physically crushed. There are other CK enyzmes, one for the brain and heart. If these are elevated, then you have a problem.

Conclusion: If you lift weights, expect these levels to be up way past the norm which is 55-198U/L(And the norm just so happens to be for people who dont lift, but this is the standard in which the doctors go by) Dont get all nervous like I did and start thinking your kidneys are shot because more than likely, its just not the case.

 

[dsh89]

I do not agree with your statement that it is a hospital's job to find something wrong with you. I know I want you out of there ASAP, so I would rather there be nothing wrong with you. You would not believe how many people want to argue and insist that something is wrong when there is nothing wrong with them at all, well physically because there are definately mental issues abound.

Wherever you went, that doc is a tard. Excessive protein causing weakness lol. You would be shocked at how many doctors and other healthcare professionals are ignorant when it comes to serious exercise.