Getting PSA results with impossible fluctuation: What's up?

Posted by bobbyshay @bobbyshay, Jan 29 11:57am

Dx with stage 1, low risk, Gleason 6 after PSA level 6.19 led to biopsy.
I've been getting psa test for 15 years and it's always been in the 3 range. Since my Dx it has been in the 5's, Yesterday I got a result of 4.8 and I was happy. I have to clarify that I didn't check my results last time in August. But I got a test from the VA primary Dr in Sep that I did check. So the urology clinic called and said my level went way up and I was like, say what?!!? I said no it's actually been going down. She proceeded to tell me the level in August was 0.21. I proceeded to tell her, that's not possible. My VA level 1 month later was 5.3. Now my urologist wants to see me in a month. Anybody ever heard of something like this?

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heavyphil | @heavyphil | Feb 18 6:42am

In reply to @tdoriausername "@heavyphil There are those that would call you and I jaded. I would call us realists..." + (show)

@tdoriausername Well, we have to realize that doctors are human too; they have assets, faults, prejudices, comfort zones, etc.
It’s important to ‘read the room’ so to speak and you can only do that if you educate yourself beforehand.
You don’t have to challenge every word or treatment suggestion, but you have to be able to sense BS when it’s coming your way.
I’ve been to doctors whom I’ve felt were very sincere - but not up to date on current research; others can cite chapter and verse of the latest breakthroughs but they come off as hustlers more than caregivers…it’s a tough needle to thread.
Phil

tdoriausername | @tdoriausername | Feb 18 8:26am

In reply to @jeffmarc "@tdoriausername No one would give you chemo unless you had multiple metastasis throughout your body that..." + (show)

Man does not need to be taught as much as he needs to be reminded. Thank you for confirming those things I already know.

bearcat998 | @bearcat998 | Feb 19 3:31pm

The last time I was at my Dr he started writing notes in my file. But it wasn’t my file. Weird things happen from time to time.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 26 9:53am

In reply to @fitzhealthacct2025 "I recently was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Total score was 3 + 3. Thankfully I am..." + (show)

@fitzhealthacct2025, welcome. I'm glad the prostate cancer was caught early so that active surveillance is the recommended treatment plan. "Taking things in stride" sounds like a wise plan.

May I ask how long ago you were treated for lymphoma?

fitzhealthacct2025 | @fitzhealthacct2025 | Feb 26 1:46pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "@fitzhealthacct2025, welcome. I'm glad the prostate cancer was caught early so that active surveillance is the..." + (show)

@colleenyoung
Thank you!

I was diagnosed in June of 1985, started treatment in July after staging laparotomy and splenectomy. I finished treatment in September of 1986. Long journey but well worth it!