Prostate-Specific Antigen Total
PSA T
Description
"Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Total" test measures the amount of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate, to assess prostate health and detect potential signs of cancer. It’s commonly used for routine screening, especially in men over 50 or those with urinary symptoms or family history. Elevated PSA may indicate inflammation, enlargement, or cancer. Doctors use the results to determine next steps, such as imaging or further testing. Monitoring PSA over time supports early diagnosis and proactive prostate health management.
Category
Proteins
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Serum
Units
Nanograms Per Milliliter
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Test Group
Male Hormone Group, Male Health Group, Basic Prostate Group, Complete Prostate Group
Test Group Description
Basic Prostate Group: This group comprises tests essential for assessing prostate health and detecting common prostate disorders. Complete Prostate Group: Extensive tests offering a comprehensive assessment of prostate health, providing detailed insights into prostate function and associated conditions. Male Health Group: A comprehensive array of tests provides insights into various aspects of male health and wellness, aiding in the evaluation and management of overall health for men. Male Hormone Group: It focuses on assessing hormone levels specific to male health, providing insights into reproductive function and hormonal balance.
Optimal Range
Up to 50 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–2.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
50–59 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–3.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
60–69 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–4.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
70+ Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–6.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
Normal Range
Up to 50 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–2.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
50–59 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–3.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
60–69 Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–4.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
70+ Years:
Conventional Unit: 0.00–6.50 ng/mL
SI Unit: Not Available
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Abnormal results may indicate:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland)
Medications (such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, finasteride, or dutasteride)
Nodular hyperplasia (Abnormal growth of prostate tissue)
Prostate adenoma (Benign tumor of the prostate gland)
Prostate cancer
Prostate infection
Prostate trauma (Injury to the prostate gland)
Prostatitis (Inflammation of the prostate gland)
Recent digital rectal examination
Recent ejaculation
Recent prostate surgery
Urinary tract infections
Key Reasons For Testing
Prostate Cancer Screening: PSA total testing is a key component of prostate cancer screening, assessing overall risk.
Differentiating BPH from Prostate Cancer: Helps distinguish prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia, as PSA levels can overlap.
Monitoring Prostate Cancer Treatment: Tracks PSA levels during and after treatment to evaluate response and detect progression.
Assessment of Recurrence: Monitors PSA levels to identify early signs of prostate cancer recurrence.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Oesterling JE. Prostate-specific antigen: a critical assessment of the most useful tumor marker for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. J Urol. 1991;145(5):907-923.
[2] Stamey TA, Yang N, Hay AR, et al. Prostate-specific antigen as a serum marker for adenocarcinoma of the prostate. N Engl J Med. 1987;317(15):909-916.
[3] Catalona WJ, Smith DS, Ratliff TL, et al. Measurement of prostate-specific antigen in serum as a screening test for prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 1991;324(17):1156-1161.
[4] Thompson IM, Pauler DK, Goodman PJ, et al. Prevalence of prostate cancer among men with a prostate-specific antigen level ≤4.0 ng per milliliter. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(22):2239-2246.
[5] Carter HB, Pearson JD, Metter EJ, et al. Longitudinal evaluation of prostate-specific antigen levels in men with and without prostate disease. JAMA. 1992;267(16):2215-2220.
[6] Lilja H, Ulmert D, Vickers AJ. Prostate-specific antigen and prostate cancer: prediction, detection and monitoring. Nat Rev Cancer. 2008;8(4):268-278.
[7] Schröder FH, Hugosson J, Roobol MJ, et al. Screening and prostate-cancer mortality in a randomized European study. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(13):1320-1328.
[8] Andriole GL, Crawford ED, Grubb RL 3rd, et al. Mortality results from a randomized prostate-cancer screening trial. N Engl J Med. 2009;360(13):1310-1319.
[9] Heidenreich A, Abrahamsson PA, Artibani W, et al. Early detection of prostate cancer: European Association of Urology recommendation. Eur Urol. 2013;64(3):347-354.
[10] Barry MJ. Prostate-specific-antigen testing for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. N Engl J Med.2001;344(18):1373-1377.
[11] Catalona WJ, Richie JP, Ahmann FR, et al. Comparison of digital rectal examination and serum prostate-specific antigen in the early detection of prostate cancer: results of a multicenter clinical trial of 6,630 men. J Urol. 1994;151(5):1283-1290.
[12] Thompson IM, Ankerst DP, Chi C, et al. Assessing prostate cancer risk: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006;98(8):529-534.
[13] Vickers AJ, Cronin AM, Roobol MJ, et al. The relationship between prostate-specific antigen and prostate cancer risk: the Prostate Biopsy Collaborative Group. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16(17):4374-4381.
[14] Draisma G, Boer R, Otto SJ, et al. Lead times and overdetection due to prostate-specific antigen screening: estimates from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003;95(12):868-878.