[hutchibk]

One thing to know is that there is more than one type of machine that can run TMs. My clinic has two different machines, and they are calibrated differently. So there is a differential in the results. My current TMs that recently came back as a 2 - would have in the past been at apx a 7 or 8 on the other machine. My doctor and I don't know why they on occasion get run on opposing machines, but he always discerns which one they are using and translates it for me. The first time I noticed a big difference in the number, he told me not to worry as it was calibrated differently and translated to an equal result. Be sure and ask if your last one was run on a different machine...

When I was NED, we did mine every 3 months, not 6 months. Now that I am a mets girl, we do them about every month.

I am guessing my onc would say to check again in a month/6 weeks or so, and again at the same interval after that. If they continue to inch up, even within normal range, he would order PET and scans, including brain MRI. It's not so much that you are remaining in normal range, but if there are continuous incremental increases over 3 or more labs. That might indicate new activity. Anytime my TMs (CA15.3) have increased over 3 or more subsequent lab draws, it has always revealed very early new activity which has then always been confirmed with scans. We definitely pay close attention to mine and give them due respect.

Don't let yourself get worked up until you have seen at least 3 subsequent labs (personally, I would prefer it in a closer period of time) that show increases. TMs can bounce up and down without any real explanation...

For some people they aren't meaningful at all, and for some like me, they are very predictive, in the context of the big picture. Mine have never steered us wrong, though they might not always be as accurate for me as they have been up til now.