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CA125 raised levels

Kazmac1
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This week I went to see my GP with perimenopausall issues. I mentioned to him that I feel my stomach up to my ribs is bloated and tight and feels uncomfortable.  He said he would add some further tests to the hormone bloods to mark for any tumours.  And a pelvic and stomach ultrasound wodo be ordered as well. Within 24 hours y bloods came back abnormal raised at 59. I am now on 2 week pathway to see gynae and have further tests. Peopl keep trying to reassure me that it might not be the big C but as I read more I realise I have been experiencing Ovarian cancer symptoms but thought it was just me putting on weight. 

All my our bloods came back normal including the hormones which are strange as I havery multiple menopausal symptoms that are ruined the quality of my life.

I am 46 and am going crazy having to wait. 

  • Offline in reply to Linz74

    Hiya! I was the same as you, very worried as both blood tests were high! My scan of ovaries and womb were clear except for 1 small fibroid. I had a letter to ask me to have repeat bloods 2 weeks before my appointment with the gynaecologist, the letter said I would be seen in 6 weeks so I had the bloods 2 weeks before! GP told me my bloods were normal so I won't be considered as urgent, still haven't had my appointment! 
    With me the only thing I can think is that first test I had just finished my period and second test the last day of my period, this can make the levels rise! 

    I know it's easy to say don't worry cause my mum has cancer as well, but it could be anything! 
    I will update you when I have my appointment to let you know what they say! 
    Let me know how your appointment goes!

    Take care! 

  • Offline in reply to Meld

    Hi Everyone

    I've been reading your posts trying to find some kind of reassurance. 

    I was diagnosed with a simple fluid filled ovarian cyst on my left ovary I had an initial scan December 2018 which found the cyst after having a Ca125 blood test at level of 54. After a follow up scan 3 months later they said it had not changed at all and therefore I was discharged. 

    I was getting worried about my elevated blood test but was told these can be elevated for lots of different reasons and it's more what is on the scan than the blood results that they look at. 

    So I followed up and asked for a referral and after seeing the consultant in December 2019 and having another scan and Ca125 they said the cyst had not changed and my blood result had elevated very slightly to 65.

    Saw the consultant in March 2020 and he said he would like to do surgery although I wanted to see if I could shrink it myself and get rid of it as I'm 36 and haven't had any children yet. He agreed to give me another scan in June and repeat the blood test on that day in March. They mentioned that in the scan in December 2019 they found fibroids which they did not remark on in December 2018 so I am assuming I didn't have them in December 2018 so I figured this may have caused the slight raise in the CA125. 

    Today I had my letter saying the cyst has not changed in appearance and my CA125 has risen slightly to 88. However the cyst has gotten smaller by 1.3cm which I thought would have been a good thing. But the fibroid is mentioned not fibroids and the last letter mentioned the size of the fibroid found and mentioned others this letter just mentions one and no measurement.

    He has said he will have a telephone consultation with me at the end of the month about whether I wish to have surgery and after receiving the letter I'm petrified. 

    So many conflicting reports of the ca125 test and if my cyst is getting smaller and hasn't changed in appearance I thought that would be a good sign. I should also add I have had a vaginal scan of my ovaries too which were also unremarkable. 

    I would really like some advice. I'm scared of surgery and also scared of it being cancer and I don't know whether to get a second opinion or not?

    My first and second ca125 tests were taken on my period the third was taken 9 days before my period. My periods vary from 23 days to 27 days mostly 26 days. 

    Thanks in advance

    Simone 

  • Offline in reply to Simone1984

    I'm 42 and recently had bloating and stomach problems that I put down to IBS but the doctor sent me for CA125 testing as a precaution.  My result came back high (at 65) and cue lots of worrying from my point of view for a few weeks while waiting for a scan!  I also had slightly raised platelets.  However, my scan showed no problems, and they've just repeated my CA125 a couple of months later and it's come back normal.  I just want to put my story up there as maybe a bit of reassurance to people - I know when I first started googling I got myself in such a worry.  No idea why my test result was raised but the doctor isn't following up with any further tests and may just be one of those things.  If you are worrying waiting for testing, these tests don't always mean the worst.

  • Offline in reply to Meld

    Hi, I'm also having a similar experience (I'm also 46) with CA125 marker first at 59 and then 5 weeks later at 72. My symptoms appear to be textbook ovarian cancer and also suffer from overflowing periods. Swelling was first detected in a MRI for spine injury, then I got fast-tracked to an ultrasound and then an urgent referral  to a gyneocologist under the 2 week wait rule. This doctor was rather casual about it all and refused to do further investigation so I'm now seeking a second referral through my GP as the symptoms presist.  I've really had to push hard and be pro-active.

    Hope your issue has got more clarity now? It's interesting how many of us have a similar experience. 

  • Offline

    Hi there. Your story almost mirrors mine this week! I am 47, perimenopausal, went to the GP last Friday, had bloods taken, they came back with abnormal CA125 yesterday, been put on a 2-week pathway for a scan (I had one last yr so I know I have a 10cm fibroid and two cysts and endometriosis), I am permanently bloated, I feel full quicker all of a sudden, I have headaches all the time, I am anxious all the time and I am desperately trying not to worry about the raised CA125 level. I am sure it will be fine given that I know I have fibroid+endo and I am sure it is this that is causing the reading. I am in pain for at least 2wks every month in the pelvic region (plus back and down my legs) and I feel miserable to be honest! I am going to opt for a hysterectomy if I have the chance. I want it all whipped out. I can't carry on with this fibroid at this size. I don't need my womb anymore. I am otherwise a slimmish person but I look 4 months pregnant!  It's a while since you wrote this post and I hope is all now well. 

  • Offline in reply to birchtrees

    Hiya, I have my first appointment with the gynaecologist today! 
    I will let you know how it goes! My periods have been really bad lately and it's been a while since my scan and last bloods so don't know what to expect today! 
     

  • Offline in reply to misss2020

    Hi Misss2020

    I am 44 and have no children

    I discovered I was pregnant at the beginning of August and had a test second wk. of September, as I had tummy pain( lower left side of tummy) so I was really concerned. I was worried it might be an ectopic pregnancy.  

    During the external ultra-sound and intravaginal exams, they found that the fetus ( 8 weeks) was having very low heart-beat and a week later no heart-beat at all. As I didn't miscarry, they did a D&C last week. 

    I had a blood test and the C 125 was slightly raised to 49. This is really worrying as I am having a slightly expanded tummy yesterday and today but put it down to recent surgery..? ( I had a local anaesthetic) ...

    I am no super worried about the raised c 125 biomarker. Could this all be due to the 'abortion I had at 9 weeks?...

     

    Looking fwd to replies from you lovely ladies...I am worried sick.

    I had 2 intravaginal exams and 2 external ultrasounds which were all clear. But why the raised c 125 level?

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Sunshine2020

    Hi

    Firstly am sorry for your loss. Its not fun at all. Let me preface by saying I am not a doctor but it is my understanding that it can take a while for the body to realise it is no longer pregnant.... pregnancy, periods and a few other things can cause your CA125 levels to rise. Try not to be too worried as stress is not good for you either. 

    Have just had my CA125 test and the results came back (40) so waiting on a scan next week to check things out.

    You've clearly had a lot to contend with recently, so try and be kind to yourself, and not let the mind catastrophise - tho its so hard not to go there.

    Best

  • Offline in reply to telemando

    Hi my ca125 came back at 131 is this high please 

  • Offline in reply to PaleGail

    Hi there just had a Ca125 test which the doctor said was high. Am 59 never had a baby and been struggling with my blood sugar levels. First started throwing up.blood and endoscopy.revealed 2 stomach ulcers since then bloating started. I don't have pelvic just pain above the tummy button am freaking out its cancer. Not losing weight

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