Psa ultra sensitive test results

[Mikes21]

So I had my prostate removed in April 2016 and had hormone treatment until August of 2018. My oncologist has me do the lab Corp ultra sensitive test and I have been <.006 up until December 2019. My test yesterday was <.014. My dr said don’t worry cause it’s still undetectable. Should I be worried cause it went up a little more than a double? Thanks Mike

[Hidden]

You dont know if you actually went up. It looks like they spun your sample through a different machine with a different detection limit. As long as the less than sign is there and its a upsa test you are fine.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Ok I appreciate that very much. Trying not to stress cause that doesn’t help either lol

[ron_bucher]

Trajectory is far more important than absolute value. I wouldn’t put much stock in two data points, especially that low.

[Mikes21 in reply to ron_bucher]

Thanks Ron. I appreciate that

[MichaelDD]

I also have to get ultra sensitive from Lab Corp. About the same time for me mine change exactly as yours. I would suspect that Lab Corp changed their testing? You and your PSA didn't. On 12/4 I was <0.006... Then February March and April of this year I'm <0.014.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelDD]

You’re right .Ive had the same exact number change in the last year with lab Corp. I thought it was just me 🧐

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Wow very cool. This is a great place for info. Thx

[Mikes21 in reply to MichaelDD]

Omg I’m so glad I asked. Thx. I’m in San Diego California. Where are you?

[MichaelDD in reply to Mikes21]

East Bay of San Francisco.. My Oncologist said after the second <0.014 "they must have changed their testing". You asking confirmed that! Thank you and be safe.

[Mikes21 in reply to MichaelDD]

I was just in Berkeley last week moving my last son home. I love the Bay Area. You stay safe too!

[ron_bucher in reply to Mikes21]

Mark Scholz in Marina Del Rey is one of my oncologists. He is world class.

[Mikes21 in reply to MichaelDD]

Wow actually my day was 12/4 too which is my sons bday. What a coincidence. You made my Day Michael!

[StevieR in reply to MichaelDD]

Yep, for me too. My latest uPSA from LabCorp went from <.006 (January 2020) to <.014(May 2020). The replies here have helped me from getting concerned, so thanks very much.

[Mikes21 in reply to StevieR]

Your message helps me too. Thanks so much and have a great weekend!

[StevieR in reply to Mikes21]

You too 😊👍

[Hidden]

Smoke a cigar, have a double shot of bourbon and be thankful that your PSA is for all intents and purposes undetectable.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Fran! Will do

[Hidden]

I had the same exact numbers from lab Corp . Hmmm🧐

[Tall_Allen]

Nope. That "<" means the actual value was lower than the lab test can test for. It's all undetectable, but the lab used different test kits. All good.

[Mikes21 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks tall Allen. I was going to message you earlier because you are very knowledgeable on all the posts I have seen. Have a nice weekend. I know I will now.

[6357axbz in reply to Tall_Allen]

TA do PSA tests using only one decimal place use standard round-off rules, i.e., a 0.5 result could be a 0.461 on a 3 decimal place test?

[Tall_Allen in reply to 6357axbz]

Above 0.1, the hundredths don't matter for any purpose. Ultrasensitive PSA is only useful for PSAs between 0.01-0.10 (thousandths are useless).

[Shooter1]

You are all good. I was 0.12/0.13 area for years but in the last year started to fall. (0.08 to 0.00) Not what I expected to hear but sure feels good to be undetectable for the first time.

[Mikes21 in reply to Shooter1]

Congrats Shooter1

[timotur]

The LabCorp machine is not as sensitive now-- lower detectable limit is now 0.014, up from 0.006. So your PSA could have risen to as high as 0.013, but you would never know it. That's more than 2x loss in precision, does it say anything on the print out which assay they are using?

[Mikes21 in reply to timotur]

Just says psa, ultra sensitive without serial psa, ultra sensitive Roche Eclia methodology

[Magnus1964]

Small changes like yours can be due to inflammation or irritation of the prostate bed.

Enjoy the low numbers.

[kenner]

I don't care what anyone else says. Every case is different..including mine...after 20 years Almost by 4 months!My Urologist told me 15 years ago I was toast. God must have had a plan..because I am still here?BUt my PSA has taken a jump from 0.21 to 0.37 in the last year.Am I worried ...to a certain extent yes.... To me quality of life is everything. I begged God to take me back then ..I had so many complications. Here I am? WHY?

[Muffin2019 in reply to kenner]

You are an inspiration to all of us, your faith and meds have kept you alive. My mom used to wonder why she lived so long, she lived till she was 95. I am only at this game for 2 years and will be around another 20, no doctor can tell you when it is over. Keep living, enjoy the small things in life, I have 5 cats and one is laying next to me purring like crazy, that makes live worth living.

[Mikes21 in reply to Muffin2019]

Good to hear Muffin! Enjoy those cats cause they are fun. I have a wife, kids, dog, rabbit and guinea pig that give me joy. Take care!

[kenner in reply to Muffin2019]

Hey Muffin Friend...I have not taken any meds other than an anti anxiety pill before bed so I can sleep. I take lots of Vitamin D and an assortment of others too. I eat well...very little fast food and no sugar. 68 and still have a desire to help people and of course some golf when winter decides to leave here! Take care.

[j-o-h-n in reply to kenner]

Light, Medium or Dark?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o h-n Sunday 05/10/2020 5:52 PM DST

[DavidDundas]

I would be interested to know if the claimed accuracy of these ultra-low PSA tests has been checked by an approved lab? And one point is that the PSA could be coming from non cancerous prostate cells that may still be present after a prostatectomy.

All this thread is talking about the PSA test, when there are several variations of it. Many years ago when I started down this prostate cancer road, I was being tested with the Split PSA otherwise called the Free-bound PSA which measures both the free PSA that I understand is the usual PSA test, and the protein bound PSA, as the ratio of these 2 parameters apparently gives an indication of the probability that prostate cancer is at work.

[Steve507]

Good question. I understand as long as it is 0.03, it's still undetectable. Opinions may vary a bit.

[dadzone43]

A number went up; that's all. Undetectable is still undetectable. "PSA" = Permanent State of Anxiety. Worry about global warming or COVID 19 instead

[Hidden]

Morning; I have had 0.014 for the past almost two years. Had prostate removed Feb. 2006, came back twice, and now, stabilized with no evidence of cancer. You are in good shape.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jif and glad you are doing well.

[Horse12888]

No. Doubling of PSA at extremely low numbers is meaningless.

[Mikes21 in reply to Horse12888]

Ok thanks and good to know.

[Jmr11820]

What was the grade/ status of your disease post surgery?

[Hidden in reply to Jmr11820]

I was told that all of the cancer cells were removed, only to find out that some cells remained and I had a reoccurrence two times.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear that. I was told they got it all but found out some were in nearby lymph node in pelvic area. Anyway thus hormone treatment was stated to kill off the remaining cells and the lymph node shrunk accordingly.

[j-o-h-n]

Mike would you be kind enough to let us know more about your bio. All info is voluntary but it helps us help you and helps us too. Thank you!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o h-n Sunday 05/10/2020 5:55 PM DST

[Mikes21 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Sure John. I’m new to this so let me whip something up

[j-o-h-n]

Hello Mikes21, Thank you for you quick response. I wish to emphasis the info we like to see from new members is totally voluntary. It's info like your age? location? treatments? treatment center(s)? doctor's name (s). Don't reply NOW but in the future you may wish to include this information so a member(s) with a similar bio can post with you.

p.s. you may want to add this additional info to your home page.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 05/12/2020 6:22 PM DST

[Mikes21]

Yeah I’m hesitant to go into all the details cause I’m actually not wanting to remember those days and details. If that makes it a problem please let me know.

[JoeBo]

I am thankful that you posted this information. We have just now had the same thing happen. The psa has been <.006 and is now <.014. If I hadn’t read your post, I would be very concerned. Is there any update with you?

[Mikes21 in reply to JoeBo]

My next one is in October. I’ll let you know and hope you are doing well!

[Mikes21 in reply to JoeBo]

Did you go through lab Corp too?

[JoeBo in reply to Mikes21]

Yes, we use lab corp. Please let us know about your results. We will be getting another psa in six weeks.

Happy July 4th. Enjoy!

[Mikes21 in reply to JoeBo]

How did you last psa go? Mine today was less than .031 up from .014 but still undetectable so I’m told not to worry at all

[JoeBo]

My husband’s last psa in August was <.014. The next one is due in November. Perhaps Labcorp has changed again. As long as it is < , then things should be good. Thank you for letting me know. I will be back with you after his early November psa. May we all continue the fight!