Q. Why are my carcinoembryonic antigen levels are higher even though I am a non-smoker?
Hi doctor,
I am a healthy 50-year-old female with no significant medical history except cholecystectomy and uterine fibroids in the past. I had got general blood tests, including tumor markers, done. My CEA levels have come out to be in the smoker range though I am a non-smoker, and AFP levels are at the upper limit of the lab range. Kindly advice.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern.
You should get a positron emission tomography (PET scan) done. It is a specific test for cancer cells. Another option is to repeat carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein tests after two weeks.
If there is a significant rise, it is alarming and needs further investigations. If reports are almost the same or less, there is nothing to worry about. Then repeat carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein tests after a month.
Thank you.
Hi doctor,
Thanks for the response.
Could this range also be suggestive of a pathology? It is within the lab range but near the higher limit of the range. Kindly advice.
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It could be normal also as it is still in a range. It needs regular monitoring. So you can repeat the tests after two weeks and then once in month.
Thank you.
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