What effect can significant hemolysis have on serum CK levels?

Significant hemolysis can lead to a positive interference with serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, resulting in increased measured values. When red blood cells break down, they release various intracellular components, including CK, into the serum. This released CK can then falsely elevate the serum CK levels during testing.

In cases of hemolysis, the enzymatic activity that is typically measured may not only stem from muscle tissue (where CK is primarily produced) but also from the hemolyzed red blood cells themselves, which artificially inflates the CK levels experienced in the serum sample. Hence, any substantial hemolysis observed in a sample should be taken into consideration when interpreting CK results, as it introduces an additional source of CK that is not reflective of muscle injury or disease severity.