Confused about PSA results
So i received my PSA results, and they were flagged for a low free % total. I have had high total before, A12, but a biopsy came back negative. Just not sure how to interpret the two normals with the low free total.
PSA, TOTAL2.8
Reference Range: < OR = 4.0 ng/mL
PSA, FREE0.5
ng/mL
PSA, % FREE18 L
Reference Range: >25 % (calc)
I would encourage you to speak directly with your medical professionals about any test results . They not only deal with situations like your own on a regular basis and can offer the best guidance but also it is for your personal safety --- it is always best not to take or give medical advice over the internet.
A needle biopsy will target a dozen or so areas in the prostate. In the process it is possible to miss a hot spot and return a negative finding. A 2.8 reading may be due to any number of causes including a large prostate which can produce a higher reading. Dennis(Prostateancer.net TEAM)Hi Dennis, thanks for the info. The total 2.8 is actually about normal even low for me. It was the fact that the total 2.8 is within normal range and the free at .5 is also in acceptable range, but i get a % range lower than normal, so two greens and a red. I had a 12 point biopsy before when my total was up at 10, but nothing found.
Hi
. Your confusion is understandable. I'm with Dennis on checking with your doctor, particularly since I found this page from the American Cancer Society which notes that a low percent free PSA can be an indicator of prostate cancer, but speaks of it as being a decider for a biopsy if your PSA is borderline (see: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/tests.html#:~:text=The%20percent%2Dfree%20PSA%20(%25,in%20men%20who%20do%20not.). Another thing that may have led to the biopsy was the previously borderline PSA with the new low percent free PSA. Again, only your doctor can explain the thought process. The best news, of course, is the negative biopsy, which, hopefully, makes these questions just an explanatory exercise on the biopsy decision. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team)
Thanks for the reply and link.
Prior to surgery my PSA never got above 2.6 and yet I was diagnosed with a Gleason 9 score - Two of my 12 biopsy samples were positive. Both in same area and no spread was seen. Best advice I believe is to keep a record of your PSA test scores - if you see an ongoing pattern of increase go a urologist vs a GP. Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
