Carcinoid Cancer Myth

Some doctors consider this the most sensitive marker, for Carcinoid Cancer. What most doctors don't know is that if you are taking a proton pump inhibitor, such a Nexium, that will raise your gastrin levels. Raised gastrin levels, in turn, gives a false and elevated Chromogranin A level.

I know this from personal experience, having survived a lung Carcinoid. My Oncologist did not want to test for Chromogranin A, but I insisted, because of my research. The Carcinoid Foundation, in NY, strongley recommended having that test.

Having Chromogranin A test results, without knowing about the gastrin level complication, sent me running in circles. Every time I was tested, my levels were going higher and higher. That caused me to ask for more and more types of radiology testing, and to see more and more specialists. It was not until I had a thyroid nodule, and found an excellent Endocrinologist, that this big puzzel was solved. I went off of my proton pump inhibitor, and immediately my gastrin and Chromogranin A levels, dropped within normal range. I then knew that the high levels of Chromogranin A were a false indicator of Carcinoid.