Home›PSA Profile

Content created by

Written by

BDS

Reviewed by

Dr. Ashish Ranjan

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

PSA Profile

Also known as Percent Free PSA

PSA Profile Includes 2 testsView All

₹989~~₹1380~~ 28% Off

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male

Test Preparation

Do not give sample within 7 days of Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) or Rectal Prostatic Ultrasonography.
It is advisable to avoid sexual intercourse, ejaculation, and vigorous exercise for up to 48 hours before sample collection.
Prostate biopsy causes a substantial elevation of the PSA levels. Talk to your doctor about the appropriate timing of the test.

Understanding PSA Profile

What is PSA Profile?

The PSA Profile measures free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood and calculates the value of percent free PSA. This test helps detect prostate cancer and other prostate-related conditions, such as prostate inflammation and enlarged prostate. It may also assist in differentiating between cancer and benign conditions.

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in males. It produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that is mainly found in semen (also produced by the prostate gland) and is present in small amounts in the bloodstream of all men. It helps liquify the semen and facilitates sperm motility during ejaculation in males.

The PSA Profile helps determine the level of total PSA, free PSA, and the value of percent free PSA in men. The total PSA level includes the combined amount of free and bound PSA in the blood. Free PSA determines the amount of PSA that is not bound to any proteins and circulates freely in the blood, while the Percent-free PSA is a ratio that compares the amount of free PSA to the total PSA level.

Your doctor may recommend the PSA Profile if you experience difficulty passing urine, straining or taking a long time while urinating, terminal dribbling, passing urine more frequently than usual, especially during the night, or blood in the urine. This test is also especially recommended in men over the age of 50 or at an earlier age (>40 years) for those at higher risk due to family history or other risk factors.

Fasting is not required for this test; you may eat and drink as per your daily routine. However, talk to your doctor if you take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, as some may interfere with your test results. It is advised to avoid sexual intercourse for at least 48 hours before the test, as semen release (ejaculation) can increase your PSA levels, leading to inaccurate results. The PSA Profile should also not be done immediately after cystoscopy, digital rectal examination (DRE), prostatic massage, indwelling catheterization, ultrasonography, and prostate needle biopsy as they too may falsely elevate PSA levels.

A higher-than-normal total PSA level may indicate prostate cancer, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In patients with moderately elevated PSA levels (4- 10 ng/ml), a high percent free PSA suggests a benign cause, while low percent free PSA values are more indicative of prostate cancer. The PSA Profile also serves as a valuable tool to monitor disease progression, check for recurrence, and assess response to treatment in prostate cancer patients. Surgical castration or medical castration (using some drugs) can lower PSA levels dramatically. Therefore, a low PSA level after any such treatment that includes hormonal therapy may not adequately reflect the presence of residual or recurrent disease.

Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Regardless of levels, PSA values are not absolute evidence of the presence or absence of disease. Further diagnostic tests, such as digital rectal examination (DRE) and biopsy, may be needed to confirm or rule out the possibility of cancer. However, some early cases of prostate cancer may not even be detected by PSA testing or DRE. Values obtained with different assay methodologies should not be used interchangeably in serial testing. It is recommended that only one assay method be used consistently to monitor the course of therapy.

What is PSA Profile used for?

The PSA Profile is done:

To screen for prostate cancer.
To assess overall prostate health and detect diseases of the prostate gland like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis.
To assess the effectiveness of treatment in individuals undergoing prostate cancer treatment.
To detect any signs of cancer recurrence in those who have completed prostate cancer treatment.
If you have symptoms of any prostate condition, such as painful or frequent urination, interrupted urine, blood in urine or semen, pelvic and/or back pain, or painful ejaculation.
As part of preventive health checkups.

What does PSA Profile measure?

Contains 2 tests

The PSA Profile measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a protein secreted by the prostate gland in males. Most of the PSA produced in the body passes in the seminal fluid, and only a small amount is secreted into the blood. It is found in two forms in blood: bound PSA (bound to other proteins) and free PSA.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Total

The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Total test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. PSA is a protein secreted by the prostate gland in males and is found in two forms: bound PSA (bound to other proteins) and free PSA. A PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Total test measures both free and bound PSA levels. Most of the PSA produced in the body passes in the seminal fluid and only a small amount is secreted into the blood.

PSA levels in the blood get elevated in conditions affecting prostate health, like prostate cancer, prostatitis, and prostate enlargement (benign prostatic enlargement or BPH). This test is used as a primary screening test along with DRE, before conducting other diagnostic procedures.

Know more about PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Total

Prostate Specific Antigen (Free) PSA

The Prostate Specific Antigen (Free) PSA test measures the level of free prostate-specific antigen in the blood. PSA, a protein produced by prostate gland cells, circulates through the body in two ways: bound to other proteins or on its own. PSA circulating unbound in the blood is called free PSA. The total PSA test measures the total of both bound and free PSA, while the free PSA measures the level of unbound PSA alone.

Free PSA levels in the blood get affected in conditions affecting prostate health, such as prostate enlargement (benign prostatic enlargement or BPH) and prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does not show any symptoms in its early stages but may be fatal as it progresses to its advanced stages. Therefore, a free PSA test, along with other tests like total PSA, can be used as an early diagnosis and primary screening test for prostate health.

Know more about Prostate Specific Antigen (Free) PSA

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PSA Profile

Frequently Asked Questions about PSA Profile

Q. What is the PSA Profile?

The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Profile is a blood test that measures the amount of both free and total PSA protein in the blood and determines if one is suffering from any prostate-related disease. This test is usually done in males.

Q. Why do I need the PSA Profile?

You may need the PSA Profile to screen for prostate cancer if you’re aged above 50 years, or at an earlier age if you fall in a group that is at high risk (>40 years) due to a family history of prostate cancer.

Q. How is the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Profile performed?

The healthcare provider takes a blood sample from the arm. The site from where the blood is to be withdrawn is cleaned with a swab of rubbing alcohol. This is followed by inserting a small needle with a tube attached to collect blood. Once sufficient blood for analysis is withdrawn, the needle is removed. The site is then covered with a gauze pad.

Q. What special preparations are required before undergoing the PSA Profile?

Before undergoing a PSA Profile, follow these instructions: 1. Do not give a sample within 7 days of digital rectal examination (DRE) or rectal prostatic ultrasonography. 2. Avoid ejaculation, sexual intercourse, and vigorous exercise for up to 48 hours before the test. 3. Do not give a sample for 6 weeks after prostate biopsy. 4. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take before getting tested, as certain medicines may alter your test results.

Q. What are the symptoms of high PSA levels?

The symptoms associated with high PSA levels are due to prostate problems and may include difficulty in urination, painful or frequent urination (particularly at night), blood in urine or semen, weak or interrupted flow of urine, difficulty holding urine, painful ejaculation, and persistent pain in the lower back, pelvis, or thighs.

Q. What happens if my PSA level is high?

A higher PSA level indicates a higher risk of prostate-related problems, such as prostate enlargement, urinary tract infection, or prostate inflammation due to irritation, injury, or a surgical procedure. Consult a doctor or a urologist to understand your lab reports, and do not panic if your reports show high PSA levels, as high levels of PSA do not necessarily indicate that you have prostate cancer. Your PSA may be elevated for other reasons that can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Q. What tests are done after reports show high PSA levels?

If your reports suggest high PSA levels, your doctor may prescribe additional tests before considering a prostate biopsy. These tests include digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA velocity (indicating the rate at which PSA increases over time), PSA density (indicating the PSA per volume of the prostate), PSA-based markers (like Prostate Health Index, 4K score), urinary markers, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate.

Q. What factors can affect the results of the PSA Profile?

Several factors, such as age, vigorous exercises or physical activities before testing, prostate gland size, prostate inflammation due to injury or infection (such as urinary tract infection or UTI), and ejaculation or sexual intercourse (anal sex or prostate stimulation) within 48 hrs of examination can affect the PSA Profile results. A few procedures like direct prostate examination, chemotherapy, prostate biopsy, cystoscopy (a procedure where an endoscope is inserted through the urethra to examine the urinary bladder), and urinary catheter insertion may also affect your test results. Additionally, taking certain medicines like finasteride, dutasteride, painkillers, etc., can also influence the results.

Q. How can I reduce my PSA levels naturally?

Always consult your doctor if your test results show elevated PSA levels. However, you can make lifestyle changes to reduce your PSA levels naturally. These changes include eating more proteins, tomatoes, and cruciferous vegetables; maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D in your body; exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight; and managing your stress, as high stress may be associated with high PSA levels.

Q. What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a condition characterized by the enlargement of the prostate gland. Enlargement due to BPH is usually caused due to aging. However, the enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra and leads to blockage, causing urinary retention, weak or no urine flow, urinary bladder stones, infections, or kidney damage.

+ more