HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

You Could Provide Some Insight Into The Significance Of Kidney Function ?

Posted on 1 day ago

Question: Hello, I am currently un-diagnosed but have received some tests for unexplained persistent blood in my urine. I recently had some routine blood work done to check kidney function and other general numbers. Most everything seemed to be okay, with the exception of a tumor marker known as Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) which came back well above range, at 3.2. I had this same panel done in January of 2020 and my CEA number was 1.5. Based on my research, it seems that this number should be at or near zero, and although 1.5 last year piqued my attention, what is really concerning to me now is that it has more than doubled in less than 18 months. Although this is not a primary marker for urologic malignancy, I was hoping you could provide some insight into the significance of this?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not likely to be significant

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

CEA level is non specific and varies from time to time. I am not sure of the normal range in the lab which reported your sample but 3.2 doesn't appear significant to me.

And it has no context in the setting of persistent blood in urine. It hardly ever helps in screening for cancer. So I feel you should not be worried about this 'rise' of CEA.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (12 hours later)

The normal limit is <2.5 so my 3.2 level is elevated. My bigger concern is the rise from 1.5 to 3.2 in under 18 months. Is there a follow up test that I should consider? What could cause this level to rise so quickly?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This rise is non significant to us oncologists

Detailed Answer:
I understand this seems like a big rise to you but to oncologists this is non significant. CEA level fluctuates in any individual and most probably the next test will show a decrease. This kind of low elevations are usually benign. And you have no clinical setting which would lead to CEA elevation pathologically.

I would suggest repeating another CEA in 2-3 months time.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad