CA 19-9 blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

CA 19-9 is a carbohydrate antigen made by cells in the pancreas, bile ducts, stomach and bowel. Specialists use it mainly to follow people with a known pancreatic or bile duct cancer, to see how the condition responds to treatment. It is a tumour-associated marker rather than a test that can find cancer.

Levels are frequently raised for benign reasons, especially when bile flow is blocked, for example by gallstones, and with pancreatitis, liver disease or uncontrolled diabetes. A small proportion of people do not produce CA 19-9 at all because of their blood group antigens, so their level stays low even when disease is present. For these reasons it is not used to screen people without symptoms. The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have a known pancreatic or bile duct condition and your specialist uses CA 19-9 for monitoring.
• You have had pancreatitis or gallstone problems and your clinician has asked for a CA 19-9 level.
• You would like to repeat a CA 19-9 result that your GP or specialist has been following.
• You want to understand from a practitioner whether CA 19-9 is appropriate for your situation.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your CA 19-9 with the laboratory reference range. A raised level is commonly caused by bile duct blockage, pancreatitis, liver inflammation or diabetes, and in monitoring a rising trend matters more than a single value. If your level is raised, your practitioner will discuss it with you and may suggest you see your GP for further assessment, which can include imaging.

A normal result does not rule out disease. Symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained weight loss, new back or tummy pain or pale stools should be reported to your GP whatever your blood test shows. Results that fall outside the range are discussed with you and are not a diagnosis on their own.

Preparing for your test

Eating beforehand is fine. Tell us about gallstones, pancreatitis, liver conditions and diabetes, and stop biotin or hair, skin and nail supplements for 48 hours beforehand, as they can interfere with some laboratory methods.

CA 19-9 is included in Omnia Signature. For pancreatic markers that reflect inflammation, see our Pancreatic Health tests. Explore our page of every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a CA 19-9 blood test in Chiswick?

A CA 19-9 blood test costs £69 at Omnia. This covers the sample at our W4 clinic, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of the result and a GP feedback report if you would like one.

Can CA 19-9 detect pancreatic cancer?

No. It can be raised by many benign conditions and some people never produce it. It is used to monitor known disease alongside imaging and clinical assessment.

Why might gallstones raise CA 19-9?

When bile flow is blocked, CA 19-9 builds up in the blood. Levels often fall once the blockage is treated.

What symptoms should I see my GP about?

Yellowing of the skin or eyes, unexplained weight loss, new indigestion or back pain that does not settle, or a change in stools should all be checked by your GP.