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jump in psa score

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Posted 4/7/2014 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
i am 65 years old and my PSA score has ranged from 0.05 to 0.72 for the past ten years.
Except in 2010 it jumped to 2.47. However on the retest it went down to 0.70.
I go to my primary and urologist a few months apart and both do PSA testing. I know this seems like overkill since my levels are low. Recently in Nov 2013 I went to my primary for my yearly and the PSA was 0.72. I went to my urologist on March 21st and it was 3.6 a retest on March 27 was 3.4. My urologist wanted to do a biopsy. When I told him about the PSA being just 0.72 four months ago we decided to do another retest on April 8. Any thoughts? Similiar experiences?
Posted 4/7/2014 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ups and downs in psa are indicative of infection. Prostate cancer is always associated with a steady consistent rise in psa over time.
Posted 4/7/2014 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had a friend that had much more drastic swings than you, and it turned out to be an infection. I'd take my time and see if the doc wants you to go on antibiotics before another PSA test.
Posted 4/7/2014 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Would seem more likely with such a fluctuation, that infection(s) may be the root cause, hopefully for your sake, that is the case.

However, if the higher number turns consistent after a few tests, a biopsy could be in order. If nothing else, it could serve to give you long term peace of mind on the subject.

Right now, a re-test over the next few months is in order, or perhaps your doctor could try you on a prostate specific antibiotic to see if the number can be driven down.

Good luck, we are here if needed for you.

David
Posted 4/7/2014 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

I vote for a retest and a good round of antibiotics but that's just my non-medically trained answer.

A biopsy might be in order if the next test shows high numbers. There are worse things than the biopsy. It might give you more information.

Hang in there and keep us updated.
Andrew
Posted 4/7/2014 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
My PSA was very steady (but around 3) for better than 7 years (tested every 6 mo) then suddenly jumped over double in 6 mo. Tested even higher in a follow up a few weeks later and then had a DRE and a biopsy which found Gleason 8. I would test again after antibiotics. I found the biopsy to be a very very minor discomfort and would not let that bother me. I found the peace of mind and certainty a 2nd reading of a biopsy good for me.
Posted 4/7/2014 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank all of you so much. I will do a retest tomorrow April 8th and have results by April 10th. At that point I will leave it up to my urologist. My thinking is that it is an infection. Once again it is a good feeling to have support.
Posted 4/7/2014 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
A DRE or ejaculation the night before the blood draw will raise your PSA. Avoid sex for 24 to 48 hours before you have your blood drawn.
Can you go back and check your calendar to see if you had sex the night before your "spiked" PSA? (Hey, don't laugh. Some guys keep calendars.)
I'm hoping you enjoyed a wild night of passion the day before you had your blood drawn. Or you had a DRE, or you had a long bike ride.
Good luck,
Jeff
Posted 4/7/2014 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Don't get a biopsy with out first taking a course of antibiotics to see its effect on psa.
Posted 4/10/2014 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hello - This is the latest. Just got PSA score from April 8th and it was 2.6. It was 0.7 in November, 3.6 on March 21 and 3.4 on March 27. My Uro is going to retest in another
month. My feeling is that it is an infection.Any thoughts?
Posted 4/10/2014 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Silvios,

All indications is that it is an infection. If you are 65 then you have a 65% chance of having indolent prostate cancer cells. Most men our age have PC cells and if you biopsy enough you will eventually find them. This is a normal process of aging and will not affect your life in any way. Out of 1,000,000 biopsies a year 750,000 find nothing, 150,000 find cancer that would never harm you, and 100,000 find significant cancer, so just getting a biopsy without first eliminating the other causes of high psa is usually a poor decision for the patient, but a very good way for a physician to reduce his legal liability.
Posted 5/16/2014 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

Just to give you the latest about my PSA. As you know my PSA is Usually 0.7.I t jumped to 3.6 on March 21. Retested on March 27 at 3.4 and on April 8 it was 2.6. I was just retested on May 12 and it was
1.5. My urologist feels that I am okay and to see him in 6 months. Any comments? Is this typical of an infection that it would take months to come down?
Posted 5/16/2014 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
It's possible it could take awhile depending on what it was. I don't see a reason to disagree with your urologist. Retest and keep an eye on it but don't worry too much.
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