CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
CEA is a glycoprotein normally produced during fetal development that can be re-expressed by some cancers, especially colorectal carcinoma. It is used to monitor treatment response and detect recurrence rather than to screen, since it is also elevated in smokers, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and other GI cancers. Rising CEA after surgery warrants imaging.
Optimal range: who says what
No institution or named practitioner we track states an optimal target for CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen). How we verify ranges.
- No stated targetNo separate optimal establishedMonitoring marker; interpret against the lab's cutoff and your own trend. Smoking raises it
- Lab reference intervalNon-smoker: <3.0 ng/mL, Smoker: <5.0 ng/mLWhat a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
2 providers include this
Cancer Screening Markers
Why CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) matters
Tumor marker for colon and other GI cancers. Also elevated in smokers and inflammatory conditions. Used for cancer monitoring more than screening.
Which Providers Test CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)?
Function Health is both the cheapest ($365/year) and the most comprehensive (160+ biomarkers) panel that includes CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen).
2 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
19 itemized panels do not include CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
Superpower · WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Life Extension Elite · Everlywell · Mito Health · InsideTracker · Marek Health Base · Marek Health Comprehensive · Marek Health Complete · Blueprint · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · SiPhox Health · Hims Labs · Healthspan · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen). Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)?
No separate optimal established: Monitoring marker; interpret against the lab's cutoff and your own trend. Smoking raises it. Lab reference interval: Non-smoker: <3.0 ng/mL, Smoker: <5.0 ng/mL. That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)?
2 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) in their panels. This biomarker has limited availability.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025