Is free PSA a good predictor of prostate cancer?

The ratio of your free PSAs to your overall PSA levels can give a better picture about your prostate cancer risk. The amount of free PSA is lower in men who have prostate cancer. That’s the opposite of total PSA, high levels of which can be a sign of cancer.

Can you have prostate cancer with low PSA?

Prostate cancer can also be present among men with lower PSA levels, however, which has led some researchers to suggest lowering the threshold for biopsy in order to detect more cancers.

What is a good ratio of free PSA to total PSA?

Consequently, some investigators now recommend measuring free PSA when total PSA levels are between 2.0 and 10.0 ng/ml.

Can BPH cause low free PSA?

Results: Mean PSA was found to be highest in CaP cases (41.9 +/- 38.7 ng/ml), lower in the BPH cases (13.5 +/- 10.5 ng/ml), while it was lowest in the control subjects (5.7 +/- 4.4 ng/ml).

What is the average PSA for a 70 year old?

For men aged 70 to 79, they suggested a normal serum PSA reference range of 0.0–6.5 ng/mL (0.0–6.5 μg/L).

What does a very low PSA level mean?

“Just because you have a low PSA doesn’t mean it’s always good news. You may have a serious hormonal deficiency besides low testosterone or a life-threatening condition. If you have less than . 1 PSA, you should be evaluated for hormonal deficiencies including low testosterone.

What does a very low PSA indicate?

If your PSA results are in the borderline range (4 to 10), a low percent-free PSA (less than 10%) means there’s about a 50% chance you have prostate cancer. You should probably have a biopsy. Some doctors suggest biopsies for men whose percent-free PSA is 20 or less.

Can a PSA level be too low?

What does low free PSA indicate?

A lower percent-free PSA means that your chance of having prostate cancer is higher and you should probably have a biopsy. Many doctors recommend a prostate biopsy for men whose percent-free PSA is 10% or less, and advise that men consider a biopsy if it is between 10% and 25%.

Can a PSA be too low?

What does a PSA reading of 0.01 mean?

Levels < or = 0.01 ng ml-1 were considered undetectable. Mean pre-operative prostate-specific antigen was 13.3 ng ml-1. Biochemical relapse was defined as 3 consecutive rises.

Is a PSA of 6.5 Bad?

Aging Affects PSA Levels Even without any prostate problems, your PSA level can go up gradually as you age. “At age 40, a PSA of 2.5 is the normal limit,” says John Milner, MD, a urologist in the Chicago area. “By age 60, the limit is up to 4.5; by age 70, a PSA of 6.5 could be considered normal.”

What causes low free PSA levels?

In general, a low PSA is a good result. However, there are several reasons a PSA screening level may be artificially low including taking statins to lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory drugs and obesity (body fat decreases the amount of PSA circulating in the blood stream).

What does low PSA mean?

Low PSA is good. Low PSA—usually about 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood or less—suggests that a man does not have prostate cancer. But higher levels—taking into account age and race (PSA rises naturally with age)—may indicate the presence of cancer.

What is free PSA?

FREE PSA. Males: When total PSA is in the range of 4.0-10.0 ng/mL, a free:total PSA ratio < or =0.10 indicates 49% to 65% risk of prostate cancer depending on age; a free:total PSA ratio >0.25 indicates a 9% to 16% risk of prostate cancer, depending on age.

What is a free PSA test?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by prostate cells (the tiny basic functioning units of the prostate). The PSA then circulates in the bloodstream. While in the blood, PSA can either be attached to proteins that are present in the blood or it can be unattached (“free”).