Since a lot of hospitals and medical facilities are giving patients access to their medical records, including results of laboratory testing, online I thought that creating some informational hubs on some commonly ordered laboratory tests might be helpful to a few.....if even 1 person then the time to write this hub was worth it. Since access to your medical records and results of laboratory tests online is a great idea, the problem, however, is the results of the laboratory tests do not come with an explanation about the tests and how to interpret the results. I will keep the descriptions and information about the tests simple and not use a lot of "medical jargon".
This will be a brief look at the laboratory PSA test performed on serum (blood).
What is a PSA Test? PSA stands for "Prostate Specific Antigen" and it is, in my opinion, the best and most accurate test or "marker" for prostate cancer. PSA levels are known to increase in men with clinically significant prostate cancer. But this is not the only reason for an increased level of circulating PSA.....we will get to that in a moment.
Where and what is the prostate? The prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and is part of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to produce fluid (prostatic fluid) which helps protects and enrich sperm as well as plays a vital role in the transportation of sperm during ejaculation. A healthy prostate in an adult male is about the size of a walnut and weighs approximately 8 to 15 grams (average 11-12 grams).
The PSA test is commonly performed on serum. Serum is the liquid portion of the blood after the blood has gone through the process of centrifugation. Basically the tube of blood is put into a centrifuge which spins the blood at a high rate of speed pulling the red and white blood cells to the bottom of the blood tube, leaving the liquid portion on top. The liquid portion is what is used for testing. A patient simply has their blood drawn by a phlebotomist and the blood is sent to the laboratory for testing.
Some special preparations for the test:
This will be a brief look at the laboratory PSA test performed on serum (blood).
What is a PSA Test? PSA stands for "Prostate Specific Antigen" and it is, in my opinion, the best and most accurate test or "marker" for prostate cancer. PSA levels are known to increase in men with clinically significant prostate cancer. But this is not the only reason for an increased level of circulating PSA.....we will get to that in a moment.
Where and what is the prostate? The prostate gland is located at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and is part of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to produce fluid (prostatic fluid) which helps protects and enrich sperm as well as plays a vital role in the transportation of sperm during ejaculation. A healthy prostate in an adult male is about the size of a walnut and weighs approximately 8 to 15 grams (average 11-12 grams).
The PSA test is commonly performed on serum. Serum is the liquid portion of the blood after the blood has gone through the process of centrifugation. Basically the tube of blood is put into a centrifuge which spins the blood at a high rate of speed pulling the red and white blood cells to the bottom of the blood tube, leaving the liquid portion on top. The liquid portion is what is used for testing. A patient simply has their blood drawn by a phlebotomist and the blood is sent to the laboratory for testing.
Some special preparations for the test:
- A patient should abstain from intercourse for 48-72 hours prior to having their blood drawn. Ejaculation can falsely elevate a patient's PSA levels.
- Digital (finger) examination of the prostate through the rectum should not be done before the blood specimen is drawn. Digital exmaination/manipulation through the rectum can falsely elevate a patient's PSA level.
- Some physicians will require patients to fast prior to the blood specimen collection. Fasting should take place over a period of 8 to 12 hours, never longer than 12 hours. Drink plenty of water during the fast to keep optimum hydration. (Water is the only substance allowed during any type of fast).
- Like stated above, ejaculation within 48 hours prior to the test.
- Digital manipulation of the prostate prior to the test.
- Some sexually transmitted diseases will falsely elevate PSA levels.
- Some viral infections can falsely elevate PSA levels. (Flu)
- Some bacterial infections can falsely elevate PSA levels. (Flu)
- Some medications can falsely elevate PSA levels.
- Biopsy of the prostate.
- <50 years old: <2.6 ng/mL
- 50-59 years old: <3.6 ng/mL
- 60-69 years old: <4.6 ng/mL
- >70 years old: <6.6 ng/mL
