CA125

[ZenaJ]

Hi ladies. I joined the site last week and have read lots of your news. I'm pleased to say there is so much good news.

Can anyone tell me what the normal parameters for the CA125 blood test is please?

[rppizio]

1- 35 or 1-39 depending on what country you are in.

[kittie]

Usually any number below 35 is normal but if it rises a little over that it doesn't mean anything is wrong it is only if it keeps rising they will arrange tests etc but everyone is different and an infection can make the marker rise. Take care . kittie

[ZenaJ in reply to kittie]

Thanks Kittie. I don't know why I've never asked at hospital. Zena

[Tesla_7US]

ZenaJ, normal is 0-34/38 in US. The reading will change from lab to lab. Small variations are also common when a lab changes equipment. CA125 fluctuates with many different types of situations which are not cancerous. This number is not reliable for all patients. Some patients do not have elevated CA125 and can have disease, Others, like me, get a high reading which is indicative of disease. Please be aware that most information you find regarding OC on the web is outdated. If you are really into research, start with GOG 182 on BioMed Publications. The abstracts and conclusions are in fairly lay terms.

[ZenaJ in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thanks very much. My CA125 is low at the moment but reading other peoples experiences I was wondering how reliable the results are.

[meboo]

Also, I think CA125 is less likely to be reliable if you are pre-menopausal. My mum had OC so I got tested and had a high CA125, but didn't have the disease. The time of the month can affect the reading in women still having periods. Mum's consultant looked for a trend in her results rather than a comparison with the general population.

[Choski]

Don't forget the CA125 gives false negatives and false positives too, just to make it harder! My ca125 was only 30 at diagnosis but 2282 at recurrence! You will.find your own ' normal ' but it's also important to remember it's influenced by infection, endometriosis, and other things too. After diagnosis it's monitored for trend in stability etc

Clare xx

[ZenaJ in reply to Choski]

Thanks Clare. My CA125 is stable but I've had no other checks for ages. I think I'll ask for a scan to be certain. Zena x

[Lily-Anne]

My hospital uses 0 to 30 and have done for some years as many early stage have a low reading

LA

[ZenaJ]

Thanks. There seems to be so much variation depending where you live and which hospital you go to. It would be easier if it was standardised. At least I know mine at least looks low.