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CA125 blood test results

Posted , 7 users are following.

Grace123
Grace123

Hi I've had a CA125 blood test & been told that I have a result of 600.  I am post-menopausal & have been told that this doesn't necessarily mean ovarian cancer, but could be a number of things.  So I assumed it was only a slightly elevated reading.  It's been a shock to me today discover that a normal reading is under 35 - from reading information on this site!  Just wondering if anyone's had experience of this or is a health professional with more info about this?

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Bexp66
    Bexp66 Grace123

    Posted

    hi, it can be  be caused to rise by all sorts of things, stress, infection, urine infection, gall stones, for example, as well as ovarian cancer. It is only one part of a bigger picture. What other symptoms do you have that made them do the check? Are you seeing a gynaecologist oncologist? Don't panic until you have had further tests, are you having a scan? 

    Sorry not to be more helpful but I would hope you have been referred for more testing.

    hang in there, Becky 

    • Grace123
      Grace123 Bexp66

      Posted

      Hiya - thanks very much for replying so quickly.  Yes, I've had ultrasound & an MRI scan & am about to have a CT scan & am under a gynaecologist - who says everything is inconclusive.  It's helpful to hear that the high figure can be caused by lots of things, including stress, as it's a very stressful time for me at the mo.

      Thanks, Grace

  • sheri44006
    sheri44006 Grace123

    Posted

    I was found to have a cyst at my regular yearly appointment. I had no idea it was even there. They did an ultra sound and found the cyst and also that the lining of my uterus was thicker than it should be since i was in menopause. They did the ultra sound , then a blood test to see if I was in fact in menopause, they then did a blood test for cancer which came back negative, gave my cyst 8 weeks to go away, which it did not then I had surgery on August 20th.  I don't know my exact number. Why did your dr even give you the blood test in the first place? Do you have a history of ovarian cancer in your family? I had the cyst taken out, both ovaries and tubes and a d &c. All pathology came back with no cancer. I personally had a Bon voyage party to my ovaries and tubes as it has given me piece of mind to not have to worry about ocarina cancer anymore.
    • Grace123
      Grace123 sheri44006

      Posted

      Hi Sheri thanks for responding your response is v helpful for me. How did you feel after your operation & how long did it take you to recover?
    • sheri44006
      sheri44006 Grace123

      Posted

      I felt no pain when I woke and the next few days just felt achy.  My surgery was on August 20 and today you would never even know I had surgery.
    • Dayanara
      Dayanara sheri44006

      Posted

      Wooohooo! You go girl! You are tough. I'm glad your feeling fine again. Thanks for posting. I bet a lot of women (including myself- I get freaked out) get motivated by courageous women like you and others here in the site. My hat goes off for you today. I truly am happy for you. I'm 29 yrs old with ovarian cyst, and recently a Dr. In the ER said I might have endometriosis. Praying for strength because I can go to being able to tolerate and then being for tylenol3 and I don't even like taking pills out medicine.
    • linda69564
      linda69564 sheri44006

      Posted

      I went through menopause 2 years ago and started spotting.  I had a polyp which is common.  I've had one before.  They did an ultrasound and I have a cyst on ovary.  They did a ca 125 test.  It came out normal.  I have a thickening of uterine lining too.  I'm waiting for an MRI.  I think I will have a hysterectomy.  I'm very scared!!

  • Guest
    Guest Grace123

    Posted

    A low level is pretty convincing that the mass is not cancerous, an increased level just means that they need to do more work.  I would not panic, but would be a bit pushy about getting more results (ultrasound and/or MRI) pretty quickly
    • Bexp66
      Bexp66 Guest

      Posted

      Can I just address a misconception ... My CA125 was only 22 when I had ovarian cancer, the highest it went was 44 and the 53. I don't say this to cause concern but I would hate anyone to stop pushing as hard as they should if they have symptoms because someone tells them the CAa125 being low means they are okay - it is just not true as much as a high result means you have cancer. 
    • fi2703
      fi2703 Bexp66

      Posted

      hi, can i ask what your symptons were, i have been going to docs since feb with  stomoach/pelvic pain they have done ultrasound cystoscopy ca125 was 25, but one of my ovaries was covered by my bowel but because ca125 was low they say nothing to bother about they have given me tablets for IBS which know it is not as i have never had problems done a stool test but not had any problems with my bowels i feel i am getting nowhere it is now september and i still having problems, i have a hospital appt coming but i wish they would give me another ultrasound as i feel the problem is that not my stomach

      thanks

    • Grace123
      Grace123 fi2703

      Posted

      Hi fi2703  It's very confusing for us. I've tried to do some reading but there are lots of variables. I'm going to ring the Macmillan cancer organisation helpline - I suggest you do the same- Google them to get the number. You'll then be able to speak to your GP with confidence, if you need further testing. It does say on the Cancer Research site that only half of women with stage 1 ovarian cancer have a raised Ca125 ie over 35. Good luck

       

    • Bexp66
      Bexp66 fi2703

      Posted

      Hi, I had been to the donors a year before because of spotting between periods, was fobbed off and it was put down to my age! Then at Christmas, I had bloating, I was seeing more than usual, my bowel movements were always soft (sorry if tmi!) I felt miserable, I had trouble eating, very quickly full up and I had found an egg sized lump. The GP said I had obviously over indulged at Christmas! He would not refer me for any other tests as he said they had been done 10 months previously. At that earlier scan nothing had shown up ... One ovary had been hidden. He said I was overweight and was really quite rude. 6 weeks later the lump had grown so much I felt pregnant ... I am lucky that I had an ovarian cyst the size of a rugby ball that they couldn't ignore. I was referred to the cancer hospital after I saw a gynaecologist who did an ultrasound and the cyst looked dodgy. The first oncologist I saw assured me that there was no way it was cancer as my ca125 was so low .... They did the surgery and found womb cancer and ovarian cancer. I have just finished chemo and am going back to work next week, hopefully cured. I was really lucky it was all caught early in spite of them messing me around. My advice is to keep pushing, ask for a referral, go onto Target Ovarian Cancer website and print out the symptom checker and take it with you. You know your own body so don't let anyone fob you off. Chances are much more likely that it isn't cancer but you need it ruled out for peace of mind. Try to stay off google as there is a lot of scary rubbish out there. Get a second opinion if you can, but don't give up till you get an answer! 
    • Bexp66
      Bexp66

      Posted

      Oh my goodness I should have checked it! I went to the doctors and I was weeing more not seeing more! 

       

    • Bexp66
      Bexp66 Grace123

      Posted

      Also check out the Target Ovarian Cancer website, they have a symptom checker you can print out and take to your doctors with you.
    • fi2703
      fi2703 Bexp66

      Posted

      Hi, i was at hospital today,  doctor said he thinks it classic IBS symptons which i know it is not he said he can do a colonoscopy but thinks nothing will show up from that so not going to bother he is going to refer me to gyncolocy but says because CA125 is low he is sure nothing there but at least when i get appointment there i can ask for another scan. Glad your feeling ok and getting back to work next week

      thanks

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