cea levels

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tammybrook
tammybrook Member Posts: 43
in Colorectal Cancer #1
just wondering if it is normal not to have the cea level tested during the routine bloodwork...my dads onc has not tested his since start of treatment.. he is now starting his fourth round tomoro.

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  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #2
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    During treatment my husbands
    During treatment my husbands onc tested his blood for CEA every other treatment.
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #3
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    Not too unusual
    It isn't too unusual to check it everytime. I usually get mine every 2 or 3 months unless the onc wants to check it for some reason. I'm not sure if insurance companies might not let the onc request every time since it costs more. You know how those insurance companies are!!
    Jeff
  • here4lfe
    here4lfe Member Posts: 306 Member
    #4
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    Every checkup
    My wife's is checked every 3 weeks, and she is undergoing chemo now.

    Best
  • jjaj133
    jjaj133 Member Posts: 867 Member
    #5
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    I am 2 weeks on chemo one
    I am 2 weeks on chemo one week off then blood work. cea tested everytime. maybe the type of insurance? i would request it./GoodLuck,
    Judy
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #6
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    My CEA and a complete blood
    My CEA and a complete blood test was done before each chemo session for 7 months. My Onc also told me that the CEA during chemo was not very accurate. My CEA went from 1125 to 3.2 after chemo, so,for me it was a difficult ride but I got results. 6 months after chemo I am finally getting feeling back in my feet, and all but my little fingers, and tip of the thumbs in the hands.

    Best Always, mike
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
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    Testing
    My blood draw was every week during chemo to just CBC and once a month to get all the blood tested (kidneys, potassium, CEA etc). It is very unusual to not get any blood tested during chemo but the CEA sometimes doesn't matter as it is not a very good marker for some and doctors don't like to rely on it.

    Kim
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #8
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    thxmiker said:

    My CEA and a complete blood
    My CEA and a complete blood test was done before each chemo session for 7 months. My Onc also told me that the CEA during chemo was not very accurate. My CEA went from 1125 to 3.2 after chemo, so,for me it was a difficult ride but I got results. 6 months after chemo I am finally getting feeling back in my feet, and all but my little fingers, and tip of the thumbs in the hands.

    Best Always, mike

    I had CEA done and complete
    I had CEA done and complete labs every week---how does he know how your WBC are if he isn't looking at them. Hm.
    Mike, for a year my fingers were so clumsy I had trouble with buttons. Now, a year later, I can type like speed demon and also braid my daughter's hair. It will only get better :)
  • tammybrook
    tammybrook Member Posts: 43
    #9
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    Annabelle41415 said:

    Testing
    My blood draw was every week during chemo to just CBC and once a month to get all the blood tested (kidneys, potassium, CEA etc). It is very unusual to not get any blood tested during chemo but the CEA sometimes doesn't matter as it is not a very good marker for some and doctors don't like to rely on it.

    Kim

    cea testing
    reason i ask is that prior to his mets the onc went for a whole 1 1/2 years without even doing x-ray or pet scan! didnt even do cea for his visits! its all hindsight now..wish i knew then what i know now! it prob is due to insurance...next visit i am going to ask to have it done...even to just see if it is lower now...his was 1.7 then next time was at 289..feel if tested inbetween then something would have possibly shown up!
  • karen40
    karen40 Member Posts: 211 Member
    #10
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    CEA
    I had my cea checked every 6 weeks. It was checked before every other chemo infusion. I was on a regimen called xelox.
    Karen

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