Has Anyone Had Elevated PSA Levels?

[builder]

Has anyone had elevated PSA levels and everything was normal? Also what is a free PSA test?

[LALOV929]

My PSA level rises whenever I have a recurrence of prostatitis even when I
feel no pain from it and everything seems normal until a digital prostate exam
results in pain. Also PSA rises with age as the prostate increases in size and
that also is normal. I don't know what is meant by a "free PSA'.

[LALOV929]

Originally Posted by LALOV929

My PSA level rises whenever I have a recurrence of prostatitis even when I
feel no pain from it and everything seems normal until a digital prostate exam
results in pain. Also PSA rises with age as the prostate increases in size and
that also is normal. I don't know what is meant by a "free PSA'.

[AZMan07]

Originally Posted by rstarre

Has anyone had elevated PSA levels and everything was normal? Also what is a free PSA test?

rstarre,
According to our government's own testing results studies, PSA is not necessarily indicative of cancer, there are many false positives. That is why a Digital Rectal Exam is required before a doctor recommends a biopsy.

I am going to qualify what LaLove says in that the level does not necessarily rise with age, and then only slightly. For example, mine has rose only from 0.5 to 0.8 over the course of a few decades.

A few things to remember, you should not have a PSA test at least 48 hours after ejaculating or it will be elevated do to PSA is released into the bloodstream when the prostate gland contracts during orgasm. Also, any form of prostate infection or inflammation, however slight will elevate the level. Finally, an enlarged prostate *may* also elevate PSA.

I believe free PSA is given to those already diagnosed with Cancer to track whether or not the medical treatment is effective however, you can get this routinely as well.

PSA is now evaluated as per a man's race.

It is best to have a baseline over several years and look for a spike. It is only a evaluative tool that indicates, if elevated, further testing.

I hope this answers your questions.

[builder]

Originally Posted by AZMan07

rstarre,
According to our government's own testing results studies, PSA is not necessarily indicative of cancer, there are many false positives. That is why a Digital Rectal Exam is required before a doctor recommends a biopsy.

I am going to qualify what LaLove says in that the level does not necessarily rise with age, and then only slightly. For example, mine has rose only from 0.5 to 0.8 over the course of a few decades.

A few things to remember, you should not have a PSA test at least 48 hours after ejaculating or it will be elevated do to PSA is released into the bloodstream when the prostate gland contracts during orgasm. Also, any form of prostate infection or inflammation, however slight will elevate the level. Finally, an enlarged prostate *may* also elevate PSA.

I believe free PSA is given to those already diagnosed with Cancer to track whether or not the medical treatment is effective however, you can get this routinely as well.

PSA is now evaluated as per a man's race.

It is best to have a baseline over several years and look for a spike. It is only a evaluative tool that indicates, if elevated, further testing.

I hope this answers your questions.

THAT is why I had a little problem with this urologist. I went because my testicles were hurting badly and he was the the one I go get into right away.
I told him I had had sex several times a day or two before the PSA test and he said it doesn't matter. But I have read that numerous times on the web on several sites.