has anybody had their psa numbers taken and if so what were they? just curious? i'm going this week for results.

hi tracy45,

I don't have personal exp., but this is what is out on the web:

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. When prostate cancer grows or when other prostate diseases are present, the amount of PSA in the blood often increases.

A PSA test is generally said to be in the normal range when it is reported to be between 0 and 4 nanograms per milliliter, sometimes abbreviated as ng/mL on the lab report.

If the results are greater than 4 ng/mL, your physician may suggest a biopsy, which is the only test available to diagnose prostate cancer.

Guidelines published in 2005 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) suggest that the threshold for consideration of a biopsy should be lower. The NCCN guidelines now recommend consideration of biopsies for men with PSA levels in the range of 2.5 to 4.0 ng/mL.1

It may also be useful to keep track of how your PSA level changes over a period of time. If your PSA level is rising your physician may suggest a biopsy.

PSA test results can be confusing and do not mean that cancer is present. Certain other conditions, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (also called BPH - a type of noncancerous prostate enlargement) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), may cause an abnormal PSA result.

good luck

Joe

thanks joe for the reply. i let you know when i get the results

i guess that's kind of personal. i guess i should'nt have asked....sorry

hey Tracy45,

one thing you can't accuse me of is being bashful. I am not sure what you mean, but you can ask me anything you want.

Joe

A year ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a PSA of 2.7. After 42 radiation sessions, my PSA is now at 0.5 and dropping which means that the cancer was found early and treated. Normally, any PSA over 4.0 is suspect for possible cancer, but as my PSA was less than that with cancer, always rely on a good urologist for testing and diagnosis.

mine was 8.3 does anyone know what that converts to?

I had a bladder infection and was treated for same - with Bactrin. The Dr, did blood tests and found my PSA 10.0 He referred me to a Urologist after I warned him that the other dr would not be permitted to perform a DRE. The Urologist tested my urine, said nothing and insisted he perform a DRE, NO WAY.

Well when I visited my RA dr for fibromyalgia, I told her the story. She said I did not have Prostate cancer. <- I know what most will say "She is not a Urologist". -> TRUE. She treated my condition as prostatitis (prostate infection - secondary to the bladder infection). The infection cleared and I take Ultra Saw Palmetto Formula for prostate health. My primary care phy took blood recently and the PSA was .79. I think I made a good decision.

Elevated PSA does not necessarily mean cancer. I DO have my PSA taken often to monitor my prostate health. If PSA increases, I with my phy will monitor same for say six months - all along checking for prostatitis.

Go forward with more confidence. Trust, but verify!

I just went through a whirlwind in my health. In July my doctor told me I had a PSA test over 4.0. She recommended I see a urologist for a exam and biopsy. The biopsy indicated I had a Gleason score of 3+3 = 6. After investigating and agonizing over all the options I just had brachytherapy done a couple weeks ago. I'm doing well for the most part. As the one commerical on TV indicates where the men have a going and going problem, I am a frequent user of the restroom. Hopefully this tapers off in the future.

I am a strong advocate of men getting checked out frequesntly. The PSA is a simple blood test. Some doctors say the developers of the test push it to make money. I say if it can show a problem early so what.

They say they caught my cancer early. I get to live with not really knowing for a while. Hopefully my PSA drops to zero in three months, but I have questions as to what this will do to my life as I now know it. Have my fingers crossed.

11 year survivor of prostate cancer. PSA was 39 @ Dx. 1st I had ever had done,(and then only because I requested it).Biopsy revealed 70% of samples cancerous. As with last poster I too had Bracytherapy and EXT beam radiation. Good results.

While I did not have the opportunity to track a rise in PSA. I learned a lot about it while researching treatment options. A number over 4 is usually considered a cause for concern. If only slightly over, most docs will suggest tracking PSA over time to see what if any the rate of increase is. A sudden rise,(few months), will normally trigger a biopsy.

My PSA numbers after treatment went down to 1.65, and then gradually lowered to less than one. Last test was 0.11. I don't think a reading of zero is ever realized. But that does not mean there is cancer present. As others have pointed out there are other causes that may play into the PSA number. If you are going to have a PSA test and DRE,(digital rectal exam), be sure that the DRE is done AFTER blood is drawn for PSA as manipulation of the prostate can cause a slight rise in the PSA number,(as can having sex the night before).

Best Regards,