CEA
CEA stands for carcinoembryonic antigen. The normal range is 0–3.8 ng/mL for adults, 20 y – 69 y, as ARUP Laboratories Test Directory publishes it.
CEA is a protein that is a type of "tumor marker." Tumor markers are substances that are often made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer.
A CEA test is mostly used in people who have been diagnosed with cancers that often increase CEA levels. It's most commonly used in colorectal cancer.
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineNormal range
3 published ranges, each from a named source 3.8 ng/mL drawn: 20 y – 69 y · ARUP Laboratories Test Directory
- 20 y – 69 y
- 0–3.8 ng/mL
All source ranges (3)
by lab, sex and age, as published ·
| Source | Sex | Age | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Board of Internal Medicine (Laboratory Test Reference Ranges) | All | all ages | <2.5 ng/mL |
| ARUP Laboratories Test Directory | All | 20 y – 69 y | 0–3.8 ng/mL |
| Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Test Catalog) | All | all ages | <5 ng/mL |
What a high or low result can mean
LOINC2HPO, Monarch InitiativeA high result Elevated circulating CEA concentration
This is reference information, not a diagnosis: only a clinician can interpret your result in context.
- Sample
- Serum or plasma · LOINC
- Listed under
- Breast Cancer · Colorectal Cancer · Liver Cancer · Lung Cancer · Male Breast Cancer · Ovarian Cancer · Pancreatic Cancer · Prostate Cancer · Stomach Cancer · Thyroid Cancer
- Code
- LOINC 2039-6 · ng/mL
- Also called
- Carcinoembryonic Ag
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