Anybody have elevated CEA level?
 

This is very weird. I had a physical for work insurance. One of the companies did a CEA test as part of the blood work. Everything else is great-HDL is in the 90's, LDL is low, PSA is great, etc. But the CEA was 6.1. My regular doc told me last night they don't usually do the CEA test unless they are monitoring someone for colon cancer. I googled it. CEA is supposed to be between 0 and 2.5. It is a marker for colon cancer and perhaps other cancers. I had my last colonoscopy 6 years ago and all was good; however, today I called to schedule another one. The latest info I can find on that test is every 10 years if you don't have any polyps. There are apparently a bunch of benign conditions that can elevate CEA, but it is stuff like cirrhosis, which my blood work says I don't have.

Of course, I'm trying not to stress out and believe it to be a false reading. I'm going to get it re-checked. The doc says get the colon scoped and then a full body scan to see what is going on. I a bit scared, because I feel good and have been riding great. I'm almost 62 and am riding as fast and hard as I have in years.

Has anybody had any experience with this?

When I was 40, I had a moderately high CEA, so my GP sent me off to the Gastro guy for a colonoscopy. Found a couple cecal adenomatous polyps (so, wouldn't have been found by a sigmoidoscopy). Polyps were removed, so all is well (and they made me get colonoscopies every two years for a while).

I wouldn't freak out, but do get the colonoscopy.

HDL in the 90's? You rock!

Yeah time for another colonoscopy check with your doctor.

You asked if anyone had experience with this kind of thing. Not what to do about it. That is good since you have already sought the advise of a provider who knows you and can help you interpret the results.

Contrary to what some would say test results are not as concrete as one would think. They are merely data inputs to someone who from experience, knowledge and training can interpret them. The result often depends as much on the person doing the analysis as the the numbers themselves.

Many things can skew the numbers. For example the lab or lab tech could have made a mistake and you need a retest. It happens. So, experience says you are on the right track. Except I wouldn't post the issue on the supermarket wall as you have done.

Added: Assuming that you indeed have an adenocarcinoma; today that is usually not the end of the world. But, don't cross that bridge until you come to it. Just remember it is a bridge, not a cliff.

Get the colonoscopy. Soon.

67walkon , if the saying misery loves company is true, this might make you feel better. I'm going in for my first colonoscopy Oct 17th. Really looking forward to it. Wait a minute, did I just say that? I must be loosing it! :P

I'm seeing the colonoscopy doc on Wednesday. He says I am likely fine as my last one was 6 years ago and he says it takes 10 years for a polyp to become malignant, if it is going to. I had no polyps 6 years ago. I had my blood work redone today. Now I have to spend an anxious day or so--I'm hoping to get the results before the weekend, but regardless, I'm riding long Saturday.

This growing old stuff ain't for sissies!

HDL, by the way, was a rocking 93! That is off the charts. Thanks to the bike.

I've had colonoscopies pretty regularly--one at 50 and 55. I'm a year overdue this time at 61. I don't think it is an issue.

Colonoscopy? It's not the camera, its the crew.


A friend has one a year. The drugs they are using now makes it easy to do and to recover from.
(so why am I avoiding one?)

I've had colon cancer, had the surgery but didn't need chemo. I spent 5 years getting CEAs and as long as you don't smoke (IIRC) being below 5 is good but check with your doc. It can go up and down just because at the low end it tends to not be accurate. Above, I think 2.5, you should pay attention. At 5-10 you ought to get it checked with a full colonoscopy - at least I would.

I just had one again today, came back at 1.5 and that's normal. That said, I'm getting a colonoscopy this fall just because it's been 3 years since my last one. They are no big deal especially when you consider the alternative.... The really good news is that colon cancer caught early is very treatable (been there, done that).

Good luck! and don't worry until you know something.

J.