Time to celebrate or not....

[Alinur]

Hi guys,

Got my 3 months PSA and it's <0.006! What I don't understand is that ,the lab always reported my PSA<0.003. they use Roche cobas analysers and by googling I didn't find any having detection limit of 0.006.May be somebody knows more about these PSA reportings.

Wish you all the best.stay safe!

[GP24]

Alinur, we told you already years ago not to get these ultra-sensitive PSA tests and worry about the third number after the decimal point.

[Alinur in reply to GP24]

Thanks GP24

I asked if anybody there uses a lab reporting with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.006! i.e like my result of <0.006!

[RonnyBaby in reply to Alinur]

I had test results using more than one lab over a period of 3 + years.

One lab had a 'resolution' to 3 digits (0.000) while most others typically report (using instruments) that have a 2 digit resolution (0.00).

The < 'less than' sign is undetectable. They don't use a > 'greater than' if the instrument detects '0.00' or 0.001 - which is still considered undetectable.

When we are in this extreme low range, you are WASTING your time contemplating a tiny 'bounce' or perhaps a slight margin of error. You would ideally re-test, if in doubt with the lab or instrument.

I'd start to wonder if something is 'UP' if my numbers climbed above '0.10' OR 0.100 for more than TWO consecutive readings.

You'll drive yourself (and perhaps others) crazy in the meantime !

So far so good for you - let's hope it stays that way.

Wishing you the best on your journey ....

[Magnus1964]

You PSA will bounce around at those low levels due to day to day irritations and small inflammations. Don't worry about them.

[Alinur in reply to Magnus1964]

Thanks Magnus.

[Tall_Allen]

Those are exactly the same. The "<" symbol means it's below the limit of detection for that test at that lab.

[Alinur in reply to Tall_Allen]

Used to my lab always reporting my PSA as <0.003. this last test result is a little bit confusing to me as I was thinking of starting ADT vacation.But as always you understood my concern.....yes if there is < sign... there is nothing to measure. May be they brought another machine with LOD of 0.006!

Thanks Allen.

Thanks to this great forum.

[Hidden]

Congratulations on your <0.1. It is always wonderful to be undetectable.

GD

[Alinur in reply to Hidden]

Thanks GD.wish you well!

[EdBar]

As long as you have the < in front of the number you’re good. Labcorp recently changed their undetectable test too, it used to go as low as <.006 now it goes to <.014.

Ed

[j-o-h-n]

Watch those periods....and zeroes.... and less than and more than signs....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 08/31/2020 7:23 PM DST