Still confused about PSA and Testosterone testing

[Mgtd]

I have been reading posts here for some time and there seems to be a split between those who only get PSA tests each time they go to their doctors and those that get both tests each time.

I had a baseline testosterone test before Lupron and before radiation. I am now doing my 6 month follow up and my annual physical and no longer on ADT post radiation. However I noticed all four of my doctors - GP, RO, MO and urologist are not concerned about my testosterone level and seemed focused on PSA only.

What are the advantages for doing both tests over only doing just PSA testing? Am I missing something in the relationship between PSA and testosterone levels?

Thanks.

[Tall_Allen]

The T tests are only to ascertain that the Lupron is working at the start, as it almost always does. When you stop taking Lupron, you might want to monitor your T level to see when it returns to baseline. Otherwise there is no point in having your T tested.

[Mgtd in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks. Really appreciated.

[tango65]

You should consider requesting a testosterone level to see if your testosterones is in the normal range. The median recovering time for testosterone is about 18 months after 6 months treatment.

[mrscruffy]

I am tested for both every three months

[ron_bucher]

PSA is a more meaningful indication of your cancer trajectory when your testosterone is normal.

[fish7days]

You can do these tests without a doctor. I test PSA monthly and T quarterly. T just for me to see the level and no other reason.

walkinlab.com

anylabtestnow.com

etc.

[Mgtd]

Thanks for the replies. Luckily I have been able to keep and build muscle, lose weight and control SE with exercise and diet. Obviously it will be a while before the T returns if ever at my age.

Since it appears that it is not relative to cancer progression, I will just press on and not worry about getting the T tested from here on out or until 12 to 18 months after stopping the ADT.

Thanks again. One less thing to deal with.

PS Getting my new hearing aids next month. Really looking forward to the new improvements/modifications they have come up with over the last 5 years.

[Don_1213]

My old urologists didn't test for T. That among other things are why they're my "old" urologists.

My new one does, as does my long term medical oncologist. He seemed surprised the old urologists didn't - he said "What good is PSA if we don't know what T is doing?" He also does a fairly comprehensive blood workup each time, consisting of:

o - Basic Metabolic Panel

o - CBC w/Platelets + Diff (Complete)

o - Hepatic Function Panel

o - PSA Total

o - Testosterone Total

He seems to feel more knowledge is a good thing. I tend to agree.

Since they do the T test from the same blood sample, and it only costs Medicare about $15, why not? And as far as T recovery - I did 18 months of ADT, it took about 8 months after completing ADT, but my T is now floating around low-normal for OUR age (I'm 77+3/4) - around 300-350.

[garyjp9]

My MO takes the same position as Mgtd's, for the reasons given by T_A

[lowT163]

For me it took from February 2020 to early 2023 to hit a T level of 150. I also didn’t need anyone to tell me it was going up. I hit 350 in July and was a new man. I’m now in free fall below 250 and am very much aware of it.