Some blood test results came back

After a whirlwind of appointments and tests, I was anxious to receive the blood test results that Dr Hwang had ordered. Each piece of information felt crucial, a key to understanding what was happening in my body.  These included:

1. Cumulative Serum Chromogranin A (CGA)

2. Cumulative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

3. Cumulative Coagulation Studies

4. Liver Function Tests

Cumulative Serum Chromogranin A (CGA)

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a protein released from neuroendocrine cells. These are cells that secrete hormones in response to signals from the nervous system and are found in organs throughout the body. This test measures the amount of chromogranin A in the blood and is used as a tumour marker. The level of chromogranin A in the blood is normally low. A person with no signs or symptoms and a normal level of CgA is unlikely to have a neuroendocrine tumour. However, the test is not perfect, and it is possible to have a neuroendocrine tumour even if the concentration of CgA is normal.

The result was within the normal expected range. Seeing that my Chromogranin A level was normal provided a small sense of relief, but I knew it wasn’t definitive. The uncertainty still loomed large.

More information: Chromogranin A | Pathology Tests Explained

Cumulative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

This is a test that measures CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) which is produced by some cancer cells. As a tumour marker it is used to monitor treatment for cancer and to check that a treated cancer has not returned. It is most often used in cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract such as bowel cancer, but also lung, breast and other cancers. Because different types of cancer and noncancerous conditions can cause high CEA levels the CEA test cannot be used to diagnose specific cancer or to screen healthy people for cancer. CEA is usually measured in the blood but other fluids such as peritoneal fluid from the abdomen are sometimes used.

The result was within the normal expected range. I understood that the CEA result being normal was good news, but I also felt a nagging worry about what the next steps might reveal. The path to diagnosis felt like an uphill battle.

More information: CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) | Pathology Tests Explained

Cumulative Coagulation Studies

Coagulation factors are proteins that are essential for blood clot formation. Produced by the liver or blood vessels, the coagulation factors are continuously released into the bloodstream. When an injury occurs these factors are activated in a step by step process called the coagulation cascade. Factor testing is usually done as a follow-up to abnormal prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) testing or if you experience abnormal bleeding. These tests are used as screening tools to determine whether or not someone’s clotting cascade is functioning normally. Coagulation factor tests may be ordered when someone has a prolonged PT or APTT and/or when they are experiencing excessive bleeding or bruising. Patients may be tested when they have a suspected acquired condition that is causing bleeding, such as DIC, pregnancy-related eclampsia, liver disease or a vitamin K deficiency.

Results were within the normal expected ranges.

More information: Coagulation factors | Pathology Tests Explained

Liver Function Tests

Liver Function Tests (LFTs) are a group of blood tests that can help show how well your liver is working. They measure several substances made by the liver including enzymes and proteins. Each substance gives different information. Looked at together, along with your symptoms and medical history, they help build a picture of your liver’s health. Either higher or lower than normal levels of these substances can indicate a problem with your liver.

The results were within the normal ranges and similar to the previous two tests in earlier September and June. With all the results coming back normal, I felt a mixture of hope and anxiety. While it was reassuring, I knew that the journey was far from over, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead still weighed on my mind.

More information: LFT (Liver function tests)