What does the PSA value mean? The PSA value indicates the concentration of prostate-specific antigen produced by prostate cells in the blood. The value is used to support the assessment of prostate health, but it alone does not indicate whether you have prostate cancer. An elevated result may be related to, for example, benign prostatic hyperplasia, inflammation or other temporary factors. A normal PSA value alone does not rule out prostate disease.
What is PSA?
PSA is an abbreviation for prostate-specific antigen. It is a protein produced by prostate cells. A small amount of PSA ends up in the blood, and its concentration can be measured from a blood sample.
PSA is related to prostate tissue, not directly to cancer. Therefore, a change in the PSA value indicates that there may be something to be assessed in the prostate or its surroundings. However, the exact cause of the change cannot be determined on the basis of the PSA value alone.
What does the PSA value tell us?
The PSA value is used as one of the pieces of information in assessing the state of the prostate. In the laboratory, the result is reported as a numerical concentration. The result is examined together with age, symptoms, previous measurement results, medication and other test findings, among other things.
A single PSA result is only part of the whole. If necessary, the doctor can assess, for example, how quickly the value has changed, whether the prostate has become enlarged and whether a new blood test or other tests are needed.
The significance of the PSA value is not assessed solely on the basis of whether the result is below or above a certain number. The assessment is also affected by changes over time and possible symptoms. Therefore, the same result may lead to different follow-up assessments for different people. If the measurement result differs from the previous one or raises concerns, a suitable next step is to talk to a healthcare professional.
PSA reference values may vary depending on age and the limits used by the laboratory. Therefore, you should primarily interpret your own laboratory result based on the reference values given with the result and the assessment of the healthcare provider.
What does an elevated PSA level mean?
An elevated PSA value does not automatically mean prostate cancer. A common reason for an increase in the value is benign prostatic hyperplasia, which becomes more common with age. PSA levels can also be increased by, for example, prostatitis, urinary tract infection, urinary retention or recent bladder catheterization.
Prostate cancer can also increase the PSA value. For this reason, it is a good idea to investigate an abnormal or elevated result in health care. The follow-up assessment is not based on just one cut-off value, but it takes into account the person’s overall situation and performs additional tests if necessary.
The PSA value may also change temporarily. Therefore, in some situations, healthcare professionals may recommend repeating the measurement before other examinations. The factors affecting the timing of the measurement and preparation for the test are a separate entity, so it is advisable to check the detailed instructions with the party organising the examination.
Can a normal PSA value rule out prostate disease?
No, it cannot. The PSA value does not always increase in prostate cancer, and a normal result alone does not ensure that the prostate is healthy. On the other hand, an elevated PSA value does not indicate that a person has cancer.
It is important to take this two-way uncertainty into account when interpreting the result. A PSA test can provide useful information to support further assessment, but the diagnosis is made in health care based on symptoms, examinations and an overall assessment.
When should a PSA result be investigated further?
It is advisable to contact health care if the PSA result exceeds the reported reference or limit value, the value has increased from the previous value or the result otherwise raises concerns. A professional’s assessment is also necessary if there are new or persistent urinary symptoms, blood in the urine or semen, pain or other symptoms related to the prostate area.
Seeking treatment should not be postponed on the basis of the result of a home test if the symptoms are severe, worsening or the general condition deteriorates. In this case, the cause of the symptoms must be determined regardless of whether the test shows a PSA concentration of less than 4 ng/ml or at least 4 ng/ml.
Can the PSA value be checked at home?
The Testerit PSA rapid test uses a finger-prick blood sample to indicate whether the PSA concentration reaches its 4 ng/mL cutoff. It provides a qualitative positive or negative result, rather than a numerical PSA measurement.
A positive result means that the PSA concentration is at least 4 ng/ml based on the test. The result is not a cancer diagnosis, but it should be clarified by health care. A negative result means that the PSA concentration is below 4 ng/ml based on the test. However, a negative result does not rule out prostate disease. If you have symptoms or concerns, you should contact health care regardless of the result.
Do you want to check the PSA concentration at home?
The CE3018-marked PSA rapid test is an IVD self-test for home use, which is performed from a fingertip blood sample. The test provides a qualitative result on whether the PSA concentration is below 4 ng/ml or at least 4 ng/ml. The result is read at 5 minutes and should not be interpreted after 10 minutes.
the PSA test
