HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

First detectable PSA level post surgery

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/11/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I know I shouldn't be worried yet but I have been used to being told that my PSA is undetectable i.e.<0.01. For the first time this week I was told that my reading is 0.01 and that I should return to 6 month checkups (I had previously been increased to 9 month checkups). I know that I shouldn't be alarmed until such time as my PSA reaches 0.2 but it has caused a little anxiety because I am wondering if this is the start of the dreaded upward trend towards needing following up radiotherapy at some stage.

I will get over this feeling but I just wanted to share my brief anxiety. I also know that you guys will immediately tell me it is way too early to worry. However it hasn't stopped my mind playing tricks on me.
Posted 6/11/2013 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I won't be one of those that tell you not to worry. But worry for just a minute, then try to put it on the back burner where it belongs for another 6 months.

Then again as someone with a PSA of 36 point something at last test, and that's after surgery and radiation, I quit worrying a long time ago. LOL

Best of luck on the next test brother. Remember you are still in the Zero Club.

Sonny
Posted 6/11/2013 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Notso, I agree with Sonny. Try not to let this bother you too much (I know - easier said than done).
Posted 6/11/2013 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the encouraging words. It helps when it comes people who know what we are all going through.
Posted 6/11/2013 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I understand about the brain playing tricks on you. Sometimes, despite my best efforts, worry creeps in when I don't wanted it to.

Just remember that there are a lot of possibilities here and a bad day at the lab is just as possible. Try to just tell your brain that you need to wait for the confirming test in six months.

yeah, easier said than done. Hang in there you're doing fine.
Andrew

Post Edited (InTheShop) : 6/11/2013 5:44:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/12/2013 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Are you saying that it's .01? Not .10? If that is the case, I would say no reason to worry, you are so far under the .10 undetectable point. My last reading, recently, post failed surgery and radiation was 60, and I am not worried. Life is too short, enjoy that great reading.

david in sc
Posted 6/12/2013 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
For the most part it is meaningless. To go from <0.01 (which factually could be 0.009) to 0.01 could be due to a variation as little as 0.001 ---- an infinitesimal amount, well within the margin of error of the test at that level. I had it happen to me a couple of years ago when a 3 year string of <.01 was interrupted by a one off .01 followed by a 2 year string of <0.01 again. I like to monitor it at six monthly intervals but that is just me.
Bill
Posted 6/12/2013 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on your terrific PSA number. I always run at a 0.02 (Anything less than 0.1 is usually just background noise). All the best....Tim
Posted 6/12/2013 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
My values have been reported as 0.01 w/o any "<" signs... Just seems to be the way my lab does it. Maybe next time I will ask the doc about the lab/methods/reporting he is using.

Just remembered... now they have a new system set up so all your lab results are also available online... In your case that would clear up any misreading by the person giving you the result over the phone... like missing a "<" if the lab did include that.

Try to put any anxiety on the back burner... Your numbers look good to me and I imagine many others... Congratulations! :-)

pasayten
Posted 6/12/2013 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Until it happens to me that reading is statistically insignificant...There is easily that much error factor imo...That being said, I'd be in the same mind as you if it happened to me. yeah    Heck I started worrying when it took an extra day to get my results last February..No matter how much I say I'm putting my big boy pants on, they are not on when it comes to the psa....

I start worrying a month in advance...knowing there isn't any reason for it cause well, you know..

Good luck...its just a blip.

Posted 6/12/2013 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I'd ask for a copy of the report.

It may say <.01 and whoever interpreted the score didn't understand the importance of the <.

I had such an experience with my doctor's office.

 

Posted 6/12/2013 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
.01 is still undetectable by all standards that I've ever seen.  Sometimes those tests give us too much information.  Some labs go from .10 and by that standard you are a less than. 

All that being said, I can certainly see why you would have a "hint" of worry, but I wouldn't let it ruin the occasion of still having a PSA that is undetectable.

Good luck,

Tom

Posted 6/12/2013 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
If you are concerned about it you should have them re-run the test so you're not thinking about it for the next 6 months.

I had a similar situation, I found out the lab keeps the sample for about a week after it's drawn so you probably won't even need to get blood drawn again.

Have your doctor specify "ultrasensitive" on the PSA test and you'll get better granularity in the test results.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply