new at this

Hi RV47 and welcome to Healing Well.

I am 64 and was told by my doctor that a PSA reading of 4.2 or below was no immediate cause for concern for a man my age, as long as a DRE did no show anything sinister. Did your doctor perform a DRE on you?

Certainly you can get different test results from different labs, but if you have been having regular checks then the jump that you have just experienced should be checked out further.

My doctor also told me that I should have no sexual activity or strenuous exercise or bike riding for 48 hours before having a PSA test done, as this can give a raised reading.

Yes, the waiting and not knowing is pretty tough, we have all done that. It has taken me almost 12 months and one Christmas to get where I am now, and way things are going it could be a second Christmas!

Should you be acting sooner than January! A couple of months in the “PC world” is not a long time, so trust in your doctor. Even if he did perform a DRE on you at your last visit, then you should not have another PSA test done for at least two weeks.

I would try not to panic right now. You are doing all the right things in getting your regular checks and your doctor will check things out if he feels there may be a problem. Wait and see how the re-test comes back.

All the best Casper555

RV47,
3.45 is still in the "normal" range. There are a number of factors which could account for the elevation from the previous tests, BPH for one. This is where the DRE findings come in handy. Retesting in January is the right next step. Of course when Casper555 says "Don't Panic", we all know this is easier said than done.

Thanks guys for all your input .. it helps more then you know. I will talk to my doctor about everything you guys have advised. I wish all of you nothing but the best and I will continue write to let you know the out come and of course read all your comments...trying not to panic..Thx again..Be well..

Welcome to HW,
I promise to let you know when you can panic. That's not today.

Remember that PSA is not a test for cancer - it just indicates prostate size, activity and such. The increase in the number is only an indication that you need to get things checked out. Infection, enlarged prostate or a bad day at the lab can also cause PSA to rise. Infection can even cause a rapid spike.

You're doc given you the best suggestion. Retest in a couple of months to confirm this result is the right thing to do. If it's gone up then you might want some other tests to see if a biopsy might be called for.

If it's gone down, then life is good.

Hang in there and let us know what the next test is.
Andrew

A retest in three months seems sensible. Prostate cancer is almost always slow growing and three months isn't a long time. The only thing I can think to do now would be a round of antibiotics but that would also make sense in three months. And no sex or bull-riding within 48 hours of your next PSA blood draw.