psa score

[Ben2]

I got a psa of <0.04 after years of 0.01. Does <0.04 mean 0.03, more than 0.03 or undetectable ? Thanks

[alephnull]

What it means is that they changed the assay that they test with. (changed their equipment)

Different equipment with different minimum values.

Where you used to have 0.01, because their equipment could go that low.

Now you have a less than sign at <0.04, means their equipment can't go any lower.

[Lyubov in reply to alephnull]

Thanks for explaining this. Good to know.

[Ben2 in reply to alephnull]

Thanks for taking time

[tango65]

Round the number and all the measurements are 0.

Unless you had a prostatectomy and want to be alert for early salvage radiation therapy , the use of this type of tests only feeds the anxiety.

Remember that the methods to measure PSA have errors which are variable from lab to lab and techniques used. Besides you still have your prostate and the PSA should increase 2 above the nadir to consider a BCR. and do anything different.

[Ben2 in reply to tango65]

Thanks for taking time.

[tango65 in reply to Ben2]

Best of luck!!!

[Hidden in reply to tango65]

It appears the newer Quest std. psa tests to <0.04. My prior psa test from Quest was <0.1. The same exact test on 1/12/2022 yielded psa <0.04. While I agree it can add anxiety....knowing your even lower can be good.

[Hidden]

Could mean a few things. Key point is your PSA is at least 0.03, probably lower, rejoice. They keep changing equipment and don't bother to tell us, you have to ask.

[Gearhead]

Maybe the only thing it means is that it's hard to draw a graph of your very low PSA history that's easy to understand.

[Hidden]

Since 2003, and current today, <0.1 is considered undetectable. I asked my professor and research medical oncologist on why he did not use ultra sensitive PSA, uPSA. His answer was first that using a uPSA would not change treatment choices. Second, most doctors do not know how to interpret. Third, any change no matter how minute causes most patients to panic and suffer anxiety. After 16 years of <0.1, I had my first uPSA three weeks ago. 0.014. I enjoy my undetectables of <0.1.

Best of luck killing the little bastards.

Gourd Dancer

[Boywonder56 in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear from ya gd...

[Cooolone]

I'm pretty sure that post RP as Primary Therapy, recurrence threshold (detectable) is 0.05ng, or 0.01ng above 0.04ng. In all probability, the reason the lab doesn't bother to declare values any less, is it prescribes no diagnostic benefit.

Post RT as Primary is 2.0ng above nadir. But this usually takes time to achieve (nadir) and can be as long as 18-24 months to have successive PSA readings that provide it.

So worry not... But stay diligent.

Best Regards

[Ben2 in reply to Cooolone]

Thanks for the timely information. Deeply appreciated.

[EdBar]

As long as it has a < in front of the number it’s undetectable, simple as that.

Ed

[Ben2 in reply to EdBar]

Thanks for the help.

[Magnus1964]

Small fluctuations in the 0.05 or less can be due to irritations or inflammation in the prostate bed. I would not worry about them unless you get a big jump or 3 consecutive rises.

[j-o-h-n]

With that score, it's only relative.... if they measured your johnson......(On Saturday night and not on Sunday morning)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 02/01/2022 6:29 PM EST