CA125

**KerryH428**

I read somewhere that this is a blood test which can help diagnose if you have endo or not - it's something to do with hormone levels - does any one know anything about it?

l&p
xx

**shrimp**

hi

i read about this in a book few years ago - endo sufferers have higher ca125 than normal - i did mention it to consultant few yrs back and was told never heard of it and sounded like waffle... Laughing

...i think it was in usa they found out about it?

be interesting to see what comments come on here about it....

shrimp xx

**JenW**

Hiya
CA125 can be raised in several conditions, including endo and ovarian cancer. It is not really a useful test in isolation, but its use really is in planning the next set of diagnostic tests. Oftern in women with endo, it's elevated if they have an endometrioma (chocolate cyst) that's leaky or has ruptured. Levels can fluctuate if you do have endo, or they may be 'normal'.
Maybe your consultant doesn't think it is really worth bothering with and would rather do other investigations that would give a definitive diagnosis.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Jen

**moody mare**

There is another thread on here somewhere about this.From my understanding not all suffers have raised levels but I could be wrong.
Here`s the link to the other thread.
http://www.endometriosis.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5511

**kari**

my gyne sent me for a ca125 blood test yesterday, as i have cysts on my ovary i havent been diagnosed with endo as yet as my gp is positive i have it but the SHO in charge of my case doesnt think so.... not the most fun ive ever had but as my husband says if my gyne is going through everthing it can be she will finally get to what is wrong with me Rolling Eyes

any idea how long it takes for the results of the ca125??

**CarlaW**

**kari**

Thanks, am still waiting for test results Embarassed

**lisa26**

I had this test when i went into hospital i had no idea i had endo at this point. They scanned a cyst which looked suspicious to rule out ovarian cancer unfortunately it came back far to high 1500 nobody questioned having endo at this point and just presumed i had cancer. Worst few hours ever for me when they came to my bed said we have cancelled the op we think you have cancer then walked off. So it can come back high for endo i did have a huge endometrioma though. It took about 3 days to get my result back but they rushed it through as they were waiting for the result. Hope that helps. Lisa

**tessa36**

I have to admit that I had this blood test done not long before the laparoscopy- I think and it did show that I was having endo, though they did not explain how high it was.

**mischb**

Sho are very junior and shouldnt be making such decisions about your case. Some registrars are not all that clued up either. Ask to see the consultant if you are not happy. This is your health and life and you are entitled to answers. misch x

**shattered**

Had this blood test 2 weeks ago showed i had a very higher marker my doctor didn't explain much though, i think sometimes you can detect endo from the blood test, but not 100% sure.

**Phantom**

I had the test several months before my lap and had a v high level so high they had to repeat it as my GP started panicking thinking it was cancer - the 2nd test result came back at lower level but still raised!!

I've since had another one done late last year and that came back at normal levels even tho my Endo is still active.

So not sure exactly how it works!!

But in answer to how long the results take its just the same time as a normal blood test so normally just a couple of days.

**Tea**

I had a doctors appt just yesterday, and they had found the bloodtest results for CA125 which they had mislaid (!) since last time.. So, he said because the level was so high an op was the only option just to rule out the big C.
Obviously I totally panicked, but reading all this has made me feel tons better. So, the high marker shows endo too.. Phew. Fingers crossed.

**Sabs**

Can I just go to my GP and ask for this#/? Im still trying to get a diagnosis so willing to do everything until i get my next lap