← Return to Ultrasensitive PSA test results: Should I be concerned?

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Depending on lab and method PSA can vary by as much as 20%. Something to keep in mind if the tests were done by different labs (and Quest, LabCorp the two largest use different methods). PSA can also be elevated with recent sex or an infection. Did you get prescribed antibiotics to eliminate that possibility for the retest? That said, if you have prostate cancer it will continue to rise. At these levels the Ultrasensitive test is a waste of money (that is to get to .001 levels for post prostate removal when PSA should be close to zero). Should insist on a PSA Free test along with normal PSA (lab can use the same blood draw for both tests). If elevated PSA is due to cancer the free PSA will be much lower than if due to other causes. Not nearly as good as PSE / Episwitch (same test) but cost is about the same as PSA. The PSE costs about $1K and insurance is not likely to cover without a longer and higher history of elevated PSA unless you are on classic Medicare. An mpMRI or PSE is a next step if free PSA indicates cancer is likely. If PSE indicates cancer than the mpMRI is still required to locate lesions so you may go direct to that step.
As mentioned, if prostate cancer has any symptoms before it metastasizes, they are the same as a non-cancerous enlarged prostate.

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Replies to "Depending on lab and method PSA can vary by as much as 20%. Something to keep..."

I'm a very active person I walk 12 miles daily and weight lift 5 days per
week, I did the 12 miles and weights 2 days prior. I'm hoping that's what
it is because the same thing happened 3 years ago, this time on my retest
the doctor said only very lite walking the week prior.