Prostrate Blood Test....

[trt]

Some of you might remember that I posted last week about my SPA blood test being high at 11.09 and had to have another one last Thursday.

Today I received the results and it had gone down to 1.97 and I have another appointment for mid December.

I must admit I am relieved but, how can there be such a difference in only a week?

[Sqad]

LOL.....I know trt...I know.......science is here to help us and sometimes it just confuses us.

I would certainly go with the lower result which was the expected result.

For clinicians, a good rule is if an unexpected result comes up, then repeat it.

[bert_h]

Like the experts here have been saying, you've just seen one of the reasons why it's an unreliable predictor of anything.

[Sqad]

bert.........."broadly speaking"............I would agree.

[smptrds]

trt - very pleased for you and this is a warning to all others who don't have this simple test. It can save your life.
If your GP puts you off or refuses, go else where.
Dave

[Clanad]

Prostatitis and other urinary infections can dramatically raise PSA levels. Additionally, most doctors here in the U.S. recommend no sexual activity for 48 hours before drawing blood for the test since that (ahem) activity can alos raise PSA levels.

Additionally, another test is gaining favor here in the U.S., that being the following:

Percent-free PSA

PSA occurs in 2 major forms in the blood. One form is attached to blood proteins while the other circulates free (unattached). The percent-free PSA (fPSA) is the ratio of how much PSA circulates free compared to the total PSA level. The percentage of free PSA is lower in men who have prostate cancer than in men who do not.

This test is sometimes used to help decide if you should have a prostate biopsy if your PSA results are in the borderline range (like between 4 and 10). A lower percent-free PSA means that your likelihood of having prostate cancer is higher and you should probably have a biopsy. Many doctors recommend biopsies for men whose percent-free PSA is 10% or less, and advise that men consider a biopsy if it is between 10% and 25%. Using these cutoffs detects most cancers and helps some men avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies. This test is widely used, but not all doctors agree that 25% is the best cutoff point to decide on a biopsy, and the cutoff may change depending on PSA level.

A newer test, known as complexed PSA, directly measures the amount of PSA that is attached to other proteins (the portion of PSA that is not "free"). This test is done instead of checking the total and free PSA, and it could give the same amount of information as the other two done separately. Studies are now under way to see if this test provides the same level of accuracy.

[SSSid]

Do you have to lie down for this test?

[boxtops]

No, you stand up like normal, sid :-)