M2-PK (pyruvate kinase type M2)
M2-PK is a form of the enzyme pyruvate kinase, which works in the cells' use of sugar. Cells with a high division rate produce more of a special, less active variant (dimeric M2-PK) that can be excreted in stool. M2-PK is measured in stool.
What M2-PK indicates
Dimeric M2-PK steers sugar metabolism so that cells obtain building blocks for division. In stool, the value therefore indicates increased cell division or cell turnover in the gut lining – regardless of whether there is blood in the stool.
Low M2-PK – what does it mean?
A low value is unremarkable. However, it does not reliably rule out bowel polyps or other changes and therefore does not replace the recommended screening examinations.
Raised M2-PK – what does it mean?
Raised levels are found with bowel polyps and malignant changes, but equally with inflammatory bowel disease, infections or diverticulitis. The value is therefore not specific: an abnormal result is clarified by a doctor, usually with a colonoscopy.
The interpretation is given in your report.
Also known as: m2pk, m2-pk, tumour m2-pk, pyruvate kinase m2, bowel screening stool test
Contexts in which this value is measured
- Bowel screening
- Changed bowel habits
- Blood in stool
- Family history
Analyses that include this value
There is currently no analysis in the shop for this value. A practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network can tell you how else it can be determined.
View the expert networkReference ranges and how your personal value is to be read are set out in your findings report. You discuss the findings with a practitioner or doctor from the ORY expert network.