PSA Profile
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 testsThe 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.
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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.
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