Can Statins affect PSA test results?

As I’m sure you have read on the web, statins can reduce your PSA number. ASCO one of the most reputable conferences even discusses this issue.

The thing is, the reduction is minimal as you can see from reading this article.
https://ascopost.com/issues/january-25-2022/effect-of-statin-use-on-outcomes-of-psa-screening-for-prostate-cancer/
I know that when I was on lipitor my PSA really didn’t change in any noticeable way. On the other hand, Lipitor crippled me while I was on it, I had a hard time getting up and walking around. My oncologist finally said that could be Lipitor so I stopped it and immediately the problem went away. This is a pretty obscure problem and in my case, my cholesterol was never high so I didn’t need Lipitor.

@tango32652
Never heard about statin interfering with PSA tests. Neither Mayo Jacksonville nor UFHPTI ever stated was a concern. They were more concerned with activities like bike riding and other vigourous activities that could aggravate the prostrate.

If you are always taking it and not something new probably would have little affect on PSA test unless it was new and you had not been taking with previous PSA tests. But as always check with your R/O or urologists.

@jeffmarc
I was put on a statin by my cardiologists and heart failure doctor. They warned me it can cause muscle pain and issues. They suggested I take co-q-10 to offset the side affects of the statin.

I did this and did not have a problem. My wife was put on statin and had muscle pain and issues. I told her about co-Q-10 and asked her to check with PCP about taking it to help. She did and they approved it. She started taking it and the pain and muscle issues went away.

The research shows that statins can reduce the co-Q-10 in your body and muscles and can cause problems. I took Astorstatin (spell). Since you did not need to take maybe not an issue but with other readers and have issues seek information about co-Q-10 from your doctor if you are having muscle weakness or issues when you started a statin.

My RO at Sloan told me that statins CAN affect PSA up to 10% - mostly lowering the actual number.
Makes sense since cholesterol is a necessary component for making testosterone, so if you lower the cholesterol you lower the T and the PSA usually follows. Clinically, there’s really not much difference between a PSA of 7 and 7.7, but the start or cessation of the statin should be considered in light of the PSA trend
line.

This is the first I’m hearing of this. Thank you for bringing this topic up. Something to definitely look into. Quite a journey this prostate cancer and many things the “experts” don’t tell you about.