CA125 Worries!

[EW671]

So last week I was on my period and I got a sudden severe sharp pain so bad I doubled over. Painkillers (just regular paracetamol) eventually took it away (it hasn't come back since) but my GP saw me and she did a CA125 test which came back elevated. She said she suspects Cysts but She's booked me in for an urgent scan and repeat bloods in 10 days.

She has said she suspects a cyst ruptured or twisted and that my bloods would be back to normal in 10 days but I've googled way too much and am now worries she actually suspects I have ovarian cancer because of the elevated CA125 (I don't know what the level was) and the rush on the scan. She has said she doesn't but I'm a super anxious person and suffer terribly with health anxiety so it has consumed every waking thought since!

does anyone have experience with elevated CA125 that came back normal?

Sorry should add I am 32, 7 months post partum and the test was taken during my period and while I had a cold!

How elevated? I had an abdominal mass and my ca125 was 30 or 40ish , the combination of which made my GP do an urgent ovarian cancer referral but when I saw the consultant she said that’s not a level that would immediately cause her concern. Turned out I had a giant fibroid which, google tells me, can increase the ca125 level.

Cysts and fibroids can cause elevated levels.A cyst is most likely,ovarian cancer doesn't present with pain.
Scans are routine for gynae and will show what is going on.Be thankful your gp is super cautious.
Congratulations on your little one.

I actually don’t know how elevated I didn’t think to ask but I am speaking to her later and I shall try and find out! She just said ‘slightly’.

I know I’m probably freaking out over nothing but I just can’t help it!

I had a CA125 done a few years ago as part of a health MOT. I was on my period at the time and it came back elevated. I read up on it and it can be elevated due to any internal swelling including periods. I actually did have some minor endometriosis so it could be anything, but best to get it checked. An ultrasound would be good

I think definitely take reassurance from the fact that your doctor said she doesn't suspect ovarian cancer. They'll want to check for cysts in case they need removing (sometimes when they are too big they need to be removed). Ultrasounds are used to show so many things like cysts, fibroids etc. It's also helpful to hear from the others that the elevated CA125 level can be from lots of different things.

Thank you all for being so kind and talking me down!

Just finished a chat with the GP who now knows I am a nervous loon. She said my levels were 47 - she said that for ovarian cancer she would be looking at levels much higher so she isn’t at all worried that’s what it is. She said she can’t rule it out 100% because the risk is never 0 even with normal levels but she said the chances are very very slim and that she is looking for a cyst that might have ruptured.

She said that the test is a horrible one because it causes so much anxiety when actually it’s very non specific and the levels react to any tiny disturbance in the force down there!

Scan has come through for Thursday so things are moving along!

@EW671 glad the doctor reassured you :) it's so helpful when they explain it a bit more! Fingers crossed for thursday, keep us updated xx

Glad you’ve had a chat with your GP. Good luck for Thurs!

Thank you both - I shall keep you posted! It’s so hard not to worry but I’m feeling more level today!

Just to update you all, ultrasound was clear! Repeat bloods in 10 days but GP suspects they’ll have gone back to normal!

Still a tiny Niggle at the back of my mind but a huge relief

Oh that’s great news!