CA125 “Slightly Elevated”

Hello there!
I had been really struggling with feeling tired, hungry all the time (not breastfeeding), very heavy periods, severe cramping before the periods, and constant clear discharge inbetween periods. I had a baby 13 months ago and I’m almost 25. I had the copper coil put in last March. The day before my period every month, I convince myself I have appendicitis due to the severe cramps on my right side - then the next day my period comes. The nurse felt my tummy and thought it definitely wasn’t appendicitis!
The Doctors did some blood tests, which showed I had quite bad anemia (not surprised). But then yesterday at a check up, the NP said that my bloods had also shown there might be something wrong with my ovaries. She said the doctors discussed me in a meeting and they believed it was due to my copper coil, which they want out immediately. I’m scheduled to have it removed on Monday, and then they’re going to do another blood test next month.
After looking through my blood test results with my SIL (nurse), we couldn’t see anything related to my ovaries on there. So I did an econsult last night to ask where they got that from. I had a reply this morning to say that my CA125 is “slightly elevated”, but the Doctor is fairly sure that it’s because of the copper coil.

Does this happen often with the copper coil? Have you got any resources I can read about relating to this?
i have always had very heavy periods and bad cramping. I’ve also been having constant clear discharge since before pregnancy.

also, my great grandmother had Ovarian Cancer so it’s hard not to worry.

Thank you so much for your time!

Offline lemonbear1812 over 2 years ago

Also, my platelet count was 480, which is higher than average and I’ve seen can also be related to Ovarian Cancer!
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel
Offline Moderator Lucie over 2 years ago

Hello lemonbear1812,

I am so sorry to hear your great grandmother had ovarian cancer and as you say, it's difficult not to worry as you are experiencing these issues at the moment with a slightly elevated CA125 and a platelet count that is higher than average. Poor you having to go through all this while looking after a small baby can't be easy. It's good that you mentioned this to your doctor and that they are doing some tests. I hope that they can treat the anaemia and that they find out soon what is causing all this. Try not to be too worried as it might indeed all be linked to your copper coil and having it removed tomorrow will hopefully translate in your next blood tests as showing significant improvements. It does sound like the doctor is pretty sure that your CA125 is elevated because of your copper coil. What is sure is that the CA125 can be elevated for reasons other than cancer as you will see on this page.

I am not sure why your platelet count is higher than average but perhaps you could ask your GP when you next see them? I hope that removing the coil will do the trick and that everything goes back to normal afterwards but it's good that they will be repeating the test next month so that they can monitor everything carefully.

Hopefully you will hear from other members of our community who have also had a slightly elevated CA125 and they will be along shortly to share their experience with you. I am keeping everything crossed for you that it all turns out to be fine.

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator
Cancel
Join to reply Sign in to reply

Cancel

All Categories

CA125 “Slightly Elevated”

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us