The normal range for a CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) blood test is typically 0 to 2.5 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or 0 to 2.5 µg/L (micrograms per liter).
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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What is CEA? CEA is a protein found in the blood of healthy people, but levels can be elevated in individuals with certain cancers and other medical conditions. It is most commonly used as a tumor marker, which means it can help monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment or detect a recurrence.
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Normal Range: As mentioned above, a CEA level between 0 and 2.5 ng/mL is generally considered normal for non-smokers.
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Smokers and Elevated Levels: It's important to note that smokers often have higher CEA levels than non-smokers. For smokers, a normal range may be considered up to 5 ng/mL.
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Factors Affecting CEA Levels: Other factors besides smoking and cancer can cause elevated CEA levels. These include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pancreatitis
- Liver disease
- Some benign (non-cancerous) tumors
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Important Considerations:
- CEA levels should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings, such as physical examinations, imaging studies, and biopsies.
- A slightly elevated CEA level does not necessarily indicate cancer. Further investigation is typically warranted to determine the cause.
- CEA tests are not typically used for cancer screening in the general population.
In summary, while the normal range for CEA is generally 0-2.5 ng/mL for non-smokers (and potentially up to 5 ng/mL for smokers), it is crucial to interpret results in the context of an individual's medical history and other diagnostic tests.
