CA125 level for Endometriosis

[mfish]

I have complex cysts on both ovaries and my Dr. recommended I have the CA125, which I did, yesterday. I am now waiting for my results. Prior to the test my Dr. said my level may come back a little elevated because of my Endometriosis. I know a base level of 1-35u/ml is considered normal, but what whould be the normal level that I should expect with Endometriosis as opposed to a level that might be indicative of cancer? I have had the internal ultrasounds done to moniter the cysts and they have been showing a slow and steady increase in their size and that is the reason for taking the CA125. Just some clarification as to what may be considered a normal level for this test for someone with endometriosis would be very helpful.

Thank you!

[cip]

I don't know that they actually have this defined in this way re:endometriosis. I have learned that the CA 125 is very unreliable - there are false positives and false negatives. I recently spoke with a gyn who said that he administers them at very specific times relative to a womans menstrual cycle.  My doc didn't do that with me. My CA 125 was 37,48,58 ,95,within a 2 month span. I was then scheduled for surgery, had a pre op CA 125 taken and it was 16 (I cancelled surgery) No one (talking with many different doctors) knows what this means. Anyway ,the general normal range that I learned of was 0-37 normal 38-100 high normal and over this sometimes indicitive of cancer, but not always so. The only sure thing seems to be that, in pre-menopausal women, the test is extremely unreliable.

[MickeyVicki]

I had a CA-125 test prior to my surgery for a large complex cyst.  My  CA-125 result was somewhere in the mid-twenties, as I recall.  At the time, I was not aware that I have endometriosis, but at surgery my doctor discovered that I have a terrible case of it.