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PSA & PSA Ratio - Unsure What To Make of It

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tom53626
tom53626

i am a 48 year old male and had my first PSA test done 2 weeks ago. Level came back high at 5.2.

About two weeks before that PSA test he did a cystoscopy for another issue i am having and suspected maybe the PSA test was high due to the recent Cystoscopy.

So i just repeated the test but this time he also did the PSA Ratio test. My PSA level on this test was 3.0 and ratio 0.11.

On the one hand, having a PSA below 4 is a but of a relief but from what Ive read that ratio is not great. What would you make of this?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • TKM
    TKM tom53626

    Posted

    Tom,

    A cystoscopy can raise PSA, although I would have thought two weeks would have been enough for the prostate to calm back down. I do self catheterization and know that it can raise the PSA also. Anything that disturbs the prostate can raise the PSA, like riding a bike, orgasm, surgery etc. However in my experience three or four days is enough for it to go back down, although every one is different and the cystoscopy you had may have caused more trauma than normal.

    Is the ratio you are talking about PSA density, the PSA divided by prostate size ? My PSA last year was 7.55 but my prostate is 100g so my PSA density was 0.0755 which was considered OK because it is below 0.1

    Thomas

    • tom53626
      tom53626 TKM

      Posted

      the ratio is Total PSA to Free PSA. My PSA level is 3.0 but the ratio of Total PSA to Free PSA is concerning. I spoke to my urologist today and he is sending me for an MRI.

      Apparently this Total PSA to Free PSA tends to be a good screen for prostate cancer. Fingers crossed that is not the case here.

  • barney34567
    barney34567 tom53626

    Posted

    In my experience, the key is the PSA over time.

    1. Ensure your tests are conducted by the same lab each time AND
    2. Have another PSA test, if you're worried. 3 months from the last one and say 3 mths later. If the results are steady or falling, then celebrate! If they are rising, then the velocity is important.
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