Elevated CPK in teen girl

[Kaja13]

My 15 yr old daughter has elevated CK or CPK - a muscle enzyme. Her result is 359 and the range is less than 200 for normal. All other routine blood work and urine tests came back normal. The walk in GP said it was nothing to be concerned about. I think double the normal is and needs to be looked at further. She is in dance 5 days per week and does gymnastics but not professionally or anything, just school. Exercise is about 1.5 hrs per day on school days. She is quite small at 105 lbs and has anxiety but otherwise healthy.
Any thoughts on this?  Thank you

[RubyWitch]

Has your daughter been medically diagnosed with anxiety/depression or is that YOUR take on her behavior/attitude? A 15 year old girl is like a bomb with a lit fuse............trust me, I've been there and it can get really ugly at times! (It does pass if you don't kill each other first)

When you take her to your PCP, I'm sure she will not want you in the room with her............as a minor she may not have the right to say no, but I'm really unsure about all of that. I would do my best to make the doctor aware of your concerns regarding the anxiety/depression issues before he/she exams her. A phone call? A note? A word with his nurse? The doctor really needs this information for a full and accurate diagnosis.

But having said all that, I personally do not think PCP's are the right doctors to diagnose, let alone treat anxiety and/or depression IF that IS an issue for your daughter. There are many psychologists out there who deal with young people only and they have ways of making them talk.......oh, that doesn't sound very good.........I mean, they have the ability and training to reach past the "teenager" zone and this allows your daughter to open up. These doctors also understand about medications in younger people as there are many meds that cannot or should not ever be given to someone under 18 years of age.

I have absolutely no way of knowing if your daughter is clinically anxious or depressed or just going through normal teen stuff...........but she IS, without a doubt, well, in MY humble opinion anyway, REALLY pushing herself  with all her athletic pursuits. I'm also guessing she's a top student. What I suppose I'm trying to say is that she sounds to me like a typical over-achiever and it's getting to her both physically and emotionally. Is she being pushed on the home front or totally supported? You sound very caring...........but we've all seen what "back stage" parents can do. Please know I am NOT accusing you of this.......I'm just kinda thinking out loud here.

Again, I repeat I'm not a doctor, but her size and weight certainly seem in good proportion to me. If she was 5'2" and weighed 78 lbs we'd be looking at something much scarier. So she isn't doing the anorexia or bulimia thing...........but this is all why she needs to see a very qualified doctor and at 15, don't they still see pediatricians? She would no doubt balk at that and I wouldn't blame her!

I agree with SassieLassie that all the exercise your daughter does is probably at the root of her elevated CPK levels, but again, (sorry) ONLY a doctor can diagnose the cause of that.

Be prepared for a battle not so much for the physical exam, but if the doctor recommends some psych evals, fur could fly. Just remember who the parent is! Sometimes we DO have to play the "tough love" card, but we play it because we love them.

I promise you that one day you WILL look back on these teen years and laugh...........it will be a LONG time, but it WILL happen.
Right now your only concern is the health of your "little girl!"
I'm sure she'll be fine, but as mother's, it's our job to worry ourselves sick.
Take care of YOU, too.

I hope you'll let us know what the doctor(s) say.
Be calm........this too shall pass
Best
RubyWitch    

[Kaja13]

Thank you... I agree it could be the exercise.  I would also be surprised though. She is also very tiny - only 5'2 at 15 and 105 lbs - wonder if this has anything to do with it?

[Kaja13]

Thanks for your reply. I already requested and have copies of all her blood work. I have also brought up the anxiety/depression and they won't treat her at all without a referral to mental health. She will not talk though. She prefers to be miserable at home and it's not easy in our house right now.  I appreciate your kind thoughts, these are the toughest parenting years - and two more to go!  I will follow up again for sure, I had to second guess this time.

[SassyLassie]

See a specialist such as a cardiologist. Walk in clinics are great, but now for something like this.

I would say the level is elevated due to all the exercise she does, but, you need to get it checked anyway.

[RubyWitch]

I generally don't have a problem with walk-in clinics, but in this case I would definitely take my daughter to your PCP for further evaluation. Call the walk in clinic and request her records be mailed to you so you can give them to your doctor, although he/she will probably want to do her own.
Since your daughter does dance 5 days per week, gymnastics and over 7 hours of physical fitness at school, that could be the culprit right there, but I am NOT a doctor!!!!
I would also bring up the anxiety issue with your PCP. This is something you do NOT want to ignore for you daughters psychological health.
I hope you will let me know what your doctor has to say.
I wish your daughter the best.
RubyWitch