Post prostatectomy: What do rising PSA levels mean?

Hi @ozment, you'll notice that I moved your messages to this existing discussion called "Post prostatectomy: What do rising PSA levels mean?" (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-prostatectomy/) Click VIEW & REPLY to read through the past comments.

You said that you had a proctocolectomy, the surgical removal of the colon and rectum. Were you also diagnosed with prostate cancer?

I don’t know but you are my hero!

If I were to guess, he had his prostate removed in 1992, his PSA is now in the 90's while his CT scan, bone scan and PET scan came back clear of cancer.

Radical proctocolectomy 1992, PSA slowly increasing in last 15 years, now mid 90's. Cat scan, bone scan and pet scan negative. Has anyone else experienced similar results. I would like to know what is going on.

93 years old, radical in 1992 PSA 90's, CT, Bone and Pet show no detectable metastasis. What could be going on?

Hello @itterac, Welcome to Connect. From what I've read everything under 4.0 ng/mL is normal. Here's some information I found about your question.

Does Working Out Affect Testosterone Levels?: https://www.webmd.com/men/features/exercise-and-testosterone#1

It sounds like you may be concerned about the rise in your PSA since your radical prostatectomy (RP). Have you asked your doctor about your concern?

I lift weights a lot. Does this result in higher testosterone levels. My current level is 230. Should i change my exercise program now that my psa has risen to .15 2 1/2 years post RP?

I think its awesome that you are 15 years post surgery. Rising levels now may represent a chemical reoccurrence. I would watch it closely. My dr. just advised to retest in 3 months and do nothing now at my .15.

Hello @ira817, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I found the following information on the Cancer.gov site that may be helpful explaining the PSA numbers.

"In the past, most doctors considered PSA levels of 4.0 ng/mL and lower as normal. Therefore, if a man had a PSA level above 4.0 ng/mL, doctors would often recommend a prostate biopsy to determine whether prostate cancer was present.Oct 4, 2017"
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test - National Cancer Institute: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet

Have you discussed the latest PSA test results of 0.56 with your doctor?

I had a prosectamy in 2005 and my PSA has been rising slowly. I was at 0.44 6 months ago and now 6 months later it’s 0.56. It has slowly going up. I am 70 years old now. What do you think of this?