1. < Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)

Chromogranin A test via Quest: symptoms of NETs

Posted by jimmiel3 @jimmiel3, Mar 5, 2023

I'm 5'8", age 62 years. I now weigh 133 lbs, 25 lbs lost since last Spring. I self-ordered a group of cancer marker tests, all came back fine, except the Chromogranin A test, got the result finally today. Level is 395. My Gastrin was quite low normal. I'd been off PPI's since December. I don't see this elevation as PPI caused. I had a CT with contrast scan of my abdomen and pelvic area about a month ago, ordered by my gastro, all came back clear. What should I do now? Besides worry . . . 🙂

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 6, 2023

Hello @jimmiel3 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about the elevated CgA level since it has been accompanied by weight loss. There are many reasons for an elevated CgA level. The use of PPI meds is just one reason. On Connect we have a discussion about this. Here is the link,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chromogranin-a-level-was-539/?pg=8#comment-803264
Other than the weight loss, what other symptoms have you been experiencing?

REPLY
ocj082121 | @ocj082121 | May 15, 2023

Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues.

My test was done at Quest and the results were as shown below:

Result: 99 ng/mL
CHROMOGRANIN A, LC/MS/MS
Reference Range: ADULTS: < 1 ng/mL

I understand that different labs have different thresholds but can someone please explain to me why the Quest cut off range is 3 to 6X higher than what is considered normal according to the Carcinoid Cancer foundation website and many other sources? "There is a normal level of Chromogranin A in the blood, and the range currently is less than 39ng/l.. Abnormal levels can vary form forty to the thousands. The sensitivity of the test for CgA is about 80%, this means that 80% of the time abnormal levels are correctly associated with disease."

Does this mean this lab just is not as “careful” or not as concerned about an elevated Cga? Or is it run differently causing it to be more sensitive?

Thanks so much!

REPLY
3 replies
ocj082121 | @ocj082121 | May 15, 2023
In reply to @ocj082121 "Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues. My..." + (show)
@ocj082121

Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues.

My test was done at Quest and the results were as shown below:

Result: 99 ng/mL
CHROMOGRANIN A, LC/MS/MS
Reference Range: ADULTS: < 1 ng/mL

I understand that different labs have different thresholds but can someone please explain to me why the Quest cut off range is 3 to 6X higher than what is considered normal according to the Carcinoid Cancer foundation website and many other sources? "There is a normal level of Chromogranin A in the blood, and the range currently is less than 39ng/l.. Abnormal levels can vary form forty to the thousands. The sensitivity of the test for CgA is about 80%, this means that 80% of the time abnormal levels are correctly associated with disease."

Does this mean this lab just is not as “careful” or not as concerned about an elevated Cga? Or is it run differently causing it to be more sensitive?

Thanks so much!

Jump to this post

Apologies the correct reference range should be < 1 not < 1

REPLY
ocj082121 | @ocj082121 | May 16, 2023
In reply to @ocj082121 "Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues. My..." + (show)
@ocj082121

Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues.

My test was done at Quest and the results were as shown below:

Result: 99 ng/mL
CHROMOGRANIN A, LC/MS/MS
Reference Range: ADULTS: < 1 ng/mL

I understand that different labs have different thresholds but can someone please explain to me why the Quest cut off range is 3 to 6X higher than what is considered normal according to the Carcinoid Cancer foundation website and many other sources? "There is a normal level of Chromogranin A in the blood, and the range currently is less than 39ng/l.. Abnormal levels can vary form forty to the thousands. The sensitivity of the test for CgA is about 80%, this means that 80% of the time abnormal levels are correctly associated with disease."

Does this mean this lab just is not as “careful” or not as concerned about an elevated Cga? Or is it run differently causing it to be more sensitive?

Thanks so much!

Jump to this post

311

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 27, 2023
In reply to @ocj082121 "Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues. My..." + (show)
@ocj082121

Hello, I was recently tested for chromogranin a because of ongoing flushing and stomach issues.

My test was done at Quest and the results were as shown below:

Result: 99 ng/mL
CHROMOGRANIN A, LC/MS/MS
Reference Range: ADULTS: < 1 ng/mL

I understand that different labs have different thresholds but can someone please explain to me why the Quest cut off range is 3 to 6X higher than what is considered normal according to the Carcinoid Cancer foundation website and many other sources? "There is a normal level of Chromogranin A in the blood, and the range currently is less than 39ng/l.. Abnormal levels can vary form forty to the thousands. The sensitivity of the test for CgA is about 80%, this means that 80% of the time abnormal levels are correctly associated with disease."

Does this mean this lab just is not as “careful” or not as concerned about an elevated Cga? Or is it run differently causing it to be more sensitive?

Thanks so much!

Jump to this post

@ocj082121, have you since had the CgA test repeated? Any further diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out a NETs diagnosis?

REPLY
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