Testing

[Padro46]

Had blood testing today that included CEA, ALT,PSA and others,  What are the thoughts on this testing.  I have heard that they can come back positive when they are not and vice versa.

[Padro46]

Thanks

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
CEA is a protein that is normally not detected in the blood of a healthy person. When certain types of cancer are present, CEA may be produced by the cancer cells. CEA may then be detected in blood, but it will not indicate which kind of cancer is present. CEA is often used to monitor patients with cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract such as colorectal cancer. It may be raised in other cancers, such as ovarian and breast cancers, but can also be raised in benign conditions such as liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
-ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the liver; smaller amounts are also found in the kidneys, heart, and muscles. Under normal conditions, ALT levels in the blood are low. When the liver is damaged, ALT is released into the blood stream, usually before more obvious symptoms of liver damage occur, such as jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin).The ALT test detects liver injury. ALT values are usually assessed along with the values found for other enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), to help determine which form of liver disease is present.
-PSA is a protein produced by prostate cells and is a marker of prostate cancer. This protein can be detected in all males; however, men whose levels are increased may have infection, prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.
ref:http://www.labtestsonline.org.au/understanding/analytes/psa/test.html
Test results beind positive when what is being suspected to be there is called false positive. This really depends on what condition you have been diagnosed with and the reason for getting these tests done.
Depending on the diagnosis, these test can confirm it by their raised levels.