Labcorp ultra sensitive psa assay change again?

[Mikes21]

Hi friends. Just had an ultra sensitive psa done and I went from <.014 to <.006. I thought they changed the assay to <.014 from <.006? Anyway please let me know when you have a chance. Thanks

[Tall_Allen]

That's great! It just means your lab changed the lowest value it's reporting.

[Mikes21 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks!

[Hidden]

I had an ultra sensitive PSA test a month ago at Lab corp and the result came back 0.008.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Did you have the < sign

[Hidden in reply to Mikes21]

No I didn't.

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Has it stayed stable? Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Mikes21]

I haven't had another test yet. I'm jumping for joy over 0.008!

[Mikes21 in reply to Hidden]

Yes that’s a great reading. Congrats

[EdBar]

That’s back to where it used be, besides as long as you have the < in front you’re good. I use an US test too and there’s little difference between those two values.

Ed

[kayak212]

Never heard of an ultra sensitive PSA. How is that different from the normal PSA test ? Thanks.

[Mikes21 in reply to kayak212]

It goes out a couple digits more. So instead of .01 it goes to say .0006.

[podsart]

Over the years, they have bounced back and forth between these lower limits.

[kayak212]

Thanks.

[treedown]

I think mine changed as well. It is a non -ultrasensitive test and went from <.1 to <.04. I have it done at Quest. At least I think this is the case, I'll have to confirm after my next test in approx 3 months. My MO said its the same reading so not important but it clearly isn't as far as I can see. I guess nadir doesn't matter after you hit <.1 after RT but I am going to consider my nadir <.04 if it is he same on the next test. That and $.05 in my pocket will get me a nickel.

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

Which will be worth .02 cents.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 09/23/2021 11:34 PM DST

[Badmamazoo in reply to treedown]

treedown, I have been searching all over the internet for anyone else who had the same recent results from Quest. In the past, my psa was always <0.1. My most recent test, a few days ago, came back, like yours, at <0.04. My Quest lab is in Western PA. I am awaiting some feedback from my Onc but it appears that the lab may be using a more sensitive version than it has in the past but not as sensitive as the one Quest uses for those who have had their prostate surgically removed (that has a cutoff point of <0.02 and the test lab is in California).

BTW: I kind of preferred the <0.1 readings as that hides a lot of mostly meaningless "noise" (minor ups and downs of very small amounts of psa) of the more sensitive readings. It is safe to say that <0.1 under most circumstances is negligible to no psa in the blood. Using a more pinpointed nadir of <0.04 is great and you never know, the real amount of our psa and our nadir could be even much lower. IMHO, if you see a minor rise to say 0.05 in your next test, do not assume that the psa is rising until you get one or two subsequent readings. The noise factor can influence more sensitive readings.

[treedown in reply to Badmamazoo]

Interesting, I think your right on all counts. Coincidentally, I had asked my MO if I could get a ultra sensitive and he said quest did not offer it. I was just curious and it was a surprise when it came back at <.04. As I am a week from ending all ADT to see if my curative treatment was in fact curative I just wanted to know, not for any actionable reasons. I will proceed as you do and in my situation no further scans will be done until my PSA hits 2.0 as I understand it, provided no other symptoms arise. Best of luck to you.

[Badmamazoo in reply to treedown]

I have an eye for things that look different. When you get a chance look at the Quest "Reference Range" for your most recent PSA....it shows as < or = 4.00. In the past it was < or = 4.0. I will post back if my Onc can confirm that they are now reporting more sensitive results. My Onc is with UPMC in Pittsburgh and UPMC is in a joint venture with the Quest Western PA lab, so I am hoping I can get a definitive answer. Wishing the best of luck to you too!

[treedown in reply to Badmamazoo]

I did not notice but will check it out. Thanks.

[j-o-h-n]

NUMBER > number. The greater than symbol means the number on the left is greater than the number on the right.

number <NUMBER. The less than symbol means that the number on the left is less than the number on the right.

And if both numbers are equal have a blunt..............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 09/23/2021 11:33 PM DST

[MichaelDD]

Got mine back yesterday. After 2+ years of readings of <.014 now it's <.006 also.

[Mikes21 in reply to MichaelDD]

Good news

[Mikes21 in reply to MichaelDD]

Thanks

[Kittenlover50]

Bills was 0. About 3 years ago changed to .008. Doc said that was the new 0 for that lab. Never has had a < in front of it. Not an issue.. I prefer the < 0.1 as comes back at Mayo. It all means the same... in our case anyway.