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Posted 12/31/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everybody
Thanks in part to a great site like this, I have been much better informed about my PC.
I had my 1st post op psa result today which is 0.04.
Should this be lower e.g. 0.01 or am I worrying for nothing. Not sure how low the lab goes here in the UK.
I get to see my surgeon on Jan for my follow up and pathology.

Thanks
Mike
Posted 12/31/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there Spottydog10 and welcome to the forum.
There's a few other members located in the U.K. so keep your eyes open for them. (I am located in Australia). You are probably worrying about nothing. There are quite a few members who have low reading residual PSAs. what is important is that it remain fairly static and not increase. Many members don't even want reports that have the ultra-sensitive result and theirs simply reports back as <0.1 (less than .1 ..... undetectable). Hazarding a guess the test equipment used on you probably has a lower detection limit of 0.03 (meaning it cannot detect PSA if it is below this level) and even then the same sample run twice will yield slightly different results. (perhaps .05 or .03) so all in all to date it seems you have a most excellent result. One last tip: Make sure you ask your doctor for a printed copy of all PSA results and the post-op pathology. If you haven't already got it, get a copy of the biopsy as well and keep your own folder. If there's any resistance tell him you have a vital interest in your own health and an understanding this disease.

Happy New Year yeah yeah
Bill

You'll find some good reading on PSA here:

www.prostate-cancer.org/education/preclin/McDermed_Using_PSA_Intelligently2.html
Posted 12/31/2009 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Spottydog, Billymac has nailed it, I had the same worry, but it was explained to me by the pathology testing mob, that their machine only reports as low as 0.03.  You are probaly in the same boat.  Congratulations on your result, thats great........................Kev. (Also an Aussie)

Happy New Year Bill..............Cheers Kev

Posted 12/31/2009 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kev and Bill,
It's all a bit anxious getting your 1st psa test.
I'm sitting up late, nerves jangling, watching robert ryan and ida lupino (great movie btw)
Cheers,
Mike
Posted 12/31/2009 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
With no incontinence and essentially a zero you have much to celeberte. Happy new year from UT-6
Posted 12/31/2009 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, read your interesting YANA blog, especially the PSA reporting.
My initial lab report said <0.1 and I had to get my GP's receptionist to
call the lab for the actual 0.04 figure.

Cheers,
Mike
Posted 12/31/2009 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,

Hitting a .04 is like rolling a 7 or 11 on the first roll of the dice. IT'S A WINNER.

Qualifies you for the ZERO club. Christmas is over so you can put the jingle, jangling nerves away for a while.

Enjoy the New Year and all it is about to bring.

The best to you and your family for 2010,

Sonny
Posted 12/31/2009 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sonny,
Hope you and Lyn have a peaceful New Year,
All the best
Mike
Posted 1/18/2010 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I got the other psa result back (the one my surgeon did to put my mind at rest)
It came back as <0.03
Being a worrier, does the < mean the lab only goes to 0.03?
Or does it mean that there 0.02 of something there?
Cheers,
Mike 
Posted 1/19/2010 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on what I hope will be a long-term, successful recovery.  about PSA test levels, post-op:  The hospital at which I had my surgery and where my urologist is based does not report results beyond the 0.0 level because they believe such results are insignificant, unreliable, etc.
Posted 1/19/2010 12:46 AM (GMT 0)

spottydog10 said...
Well, I got the other psa result back (the one my surgeon did to put my mind at rest)
It came back as <0.03
Being a worrier, does the < mean the lab only goes to 0.03?
Or does it mean that there 0.02 of something there?
Cheers,
Mike

Without knowing the actual machine it is difficult to say but seeing that the report is <.03 I would guess that it is Generation 2 equipment. Gen 2 have a lowest possible detection limit of .03 so your PSA (if any) is below this figure thus it cannot be detected at all. The actual level may be anywhere from absolute 0 to .029. But then again at such very low levels there is a margin of error with the testing. Your next report could say .04 but that does not really mean anything as it is within the margin or error and may not even have changed despite the result. It is more valuable to watch for any trend at such very low levels (small but consecutive rises of say 3 or more) rather than react to a small 1 off change. All in all your results are excellent.
Bill
Posted 1/19/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
My PSA has been .04 for 20 months. I have the same worry and I am told that is as low as the machine will go. You should be happy!!!
Posted 1/19/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everybody, it puts my mind at rest - till the next one...:)
Cheers

Mike

Posted 1/19/2010 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
If I understand right, less than .1 is consider undetectable. so your PSA is very good. congratulation! Wish you continue recover from surgery!
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