uPSA test - Quest Labs results extended delay

The ultra sensitive test just takes longer. I asked my oncologist about switching to an ultrasensitive test, but after 14 years and BRCA2 it makes no sense for me to wait when I can get the regular results overnight.

People freak out about their ultrasensitive test going from .01 to .03 When it really can just be the normal variation that happens with testing and knowing it’s less than .1 could be enough.

Because I have attended multiple monthly and weekly prostate cancer meetings for many years I regularly hear about people with ultra sensitive testing freaking out about the small changes.

Just something to consider.

I get my PSA test and other bloodwork done every three months at my hospital clinic, which is walking distance from my house — they pick up the samples every half hour or so and carry them down the hall to the lab. I generally have the results online within 1–3 hours. So far, fortunately, my PSA has remained below 0.01, which gives me a lot of confidence that my treatment is working. Next test is a week from tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Originally I was getting the tests done in an outside lab, it it was taking a couple of days for the results to make it into my online hospital chart. I'm very happy since I moved "into the system" as it were, because I see the results as soon as the lab tech types them into the system.

I've been using labcorp for my ultrasensitive PSA test. The results come in overnight after the test. I can get the results from their website. Just did this again this week.

If I wait for the results to hit the portal my practice uses, it can be several days. My guess is it goes right to them but someone has to look at it and approve it's release to me. (that's just a guess though)

The only thing that has taken more than 24 hours so far has been the testosterone test.

I use Quest for my monthly PSA, testosterone, CBC, lipid tests. All but the PSA come back in a couple of days. The last PSA required two weeks so presumably was the ultrasensitive type. I just get on with my life while waiting but it is a bit like for waiting for your grades after finals.

Enjoy Life!

Well, it took 8 days, however the result was worth waiting for:

< .02 negative or undetectable (under the limit of detection for uPSA test by Quest)

I have mine done in the KU Medical Center Lab formerly Olathe Health), same place where my oncologist and radiologist are.

The CBC and Metabolic panels are posted within three hours. the USPSA typically takes three to six. They do farm out the testosterone to Quest which usually posts them the next morning to their web site and t shows up on my Chart later the 2nd day. I just log in to my Quest and check it.

Funny story...I have a great oncologist. At our July consult he said he would not be here in October for a consult immediately after my labs and instructed his nurse to contact me with the results. When he left to see his next patient, the nurse looked at me and we both smiled, knowing the results would be posted to the portal and if I had any questions or concerns could call or send a message through the portal.

I suppose that consistent results are worth waiting for, and a test administered every 3-6 months does not need to be reported overnight, but I have been willing to drive a bit further (not that far!) to go to the labcorp office at the hospital where I had the surgery because they draw lots of blood all day every day (so are very experienced) and they do report out the results using the same ultrasensitive PSA test (Roche assay, I believe, it's reported on the detailed results report) usually within 24 hours, although I think the standard expectation is 2-3 days.
The main thing is to stick with the same test for comparability, since different assays (there are multiple uPSA testing protocols) may give slightly different results within any given range.

Thanks for the confirmation. I was puzzled by people saying that the uPSA test takes days or weeks (rather than hours).

I suspect the reason people wait so long has more to do with logistics than pathology. How often are samples collected? How long do they take to get to the lab (is it in a different city?)? Does the lab test the samples as soon as they arrive, or do they enter a queue? Does someone have to retype the results into a different system for you to see them? How big is the typist's backlog? Are they released to you automatically, or does a doctor have to authorise it? Etc. etc.

When I was getting my uPSA test (down to 0.01) at an independent lab, I had to wait 2–3 business days for results, depending on when someone at the Cancer Centre retyped them into my online chart. Now that I've switched to getting the test at the hospital itself, I have results in 1–3 hours, because the lab is onsite and puts the results straight into the online chart.

I am a retired former medical director with Quest Diagnostics. Depending upon which regional laboratory that performs the test, the usual turn around time (TAT) for test performance and results reporting to your health care provider who ordered the test is 24-48 hrs depending upon the integrity of the integrity/quality of the sample submitted for analysis and the/ integration of results reporting with the electronic health record platform used by the practice/health care system. You may also access your test results more rapidly by establishing a free MyQuest personal account. Your results are generally reported as soon as they are available.

Thank you for your input.
My blood samples are collected at Quest's facility in Camp Hill, PA and sent to Horsham, PA.
The Testosterone test is processed in Horsham and reported that day or the next day.
The uPSA test sample is sent cross-country to California for processing.
My first 2 uPSA tests took 5 days to finalize and report.
The last 2 in May and August have taken 8 - 10 days. The wait really is a bit painful.
I use Quest because it has excellent connectivity with Johns Hopkins where I'm receiving my PCa treatment and care, but the wait is definitely troubling.
And I do have a MyQuest accout and actually the results are reported first to JH and me through MyChart from JH before they show on the Quest lab account.
I am not particularly happy with the delay and thinking of transferring to Lab Corp.
Quest is impossible to contact and to register complaints or share concerns, so that's problematic.
If you are a fellow PCa suffer, I do wish you the best.