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Rapid drop in PSA test results

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Posted 7/16/2018 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
64 year old caucasian male. No treatment history or surgeries.

Date Result
11/17 4.3
01/18 3.4
07/18 1.3

Has anyone else experienced drop in total PSA like this? I think I'll have a followup in a couple months just to see if the recent test was an aberration. I made dietary changes, but this seems ridiculous.

Thanks.
Posted 7/16/2018 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Prostatitis behaves like this. Wild swings.
Posted 7/16/2018 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
You may have had a prostate infection that raised the PSA in November/January time frame.
A couple of things to think about....
1. did you have any of these psa tests AFTER a DRE (digital rectal exam) was performed? It should always be prior to the DRE.
2. Did you have sex, ride a bicycle, lift weights, or do anything else that might stimulate the prostate, in the 48 hours prior to your blood draws? You shouldn't
3. were all the tests performed at the same lab? Tests performed at different labs are not comparable.

In any case, i'm guessing you had an infection. A total PSA of 1.3 is terrific for a 64 year old.
Posted 7/16/2018 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for this, very helpful. Answers to questions below.

1. No DRE before any of the tests.
2. Before the 4.3 I think I did have sex within the 48 hr period prior. My Primary Care physician did not give me any instructions before the test. I also worked out the day before the test because I didn't realize this could affect results.
3. All the tests were done by the same LabCorp lab.

Also, I remember having some prostate pain around the 4.3 and 3.4. It was pretty mild though, but I had no prostate pain prior to the 1.3.

Thanks for that. Very helpful but I still may do a followup in a couple of months to make sure not an aberration.
Posted 7/16/2018 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
The pain could be associated with something going on in the prostate. If that's resolved and the PSA is lower - there's a possible connection.

In any case, 1.3 at 64 is outstanding and an indication of a healthy prostate.

Still, you should likely get a standard PSA with you routine physical exams for a few more years.

Andrew
Posted 7/16/2018 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Have you been diagnosed with Pca...not really sure why I ask that question...tho I think others may want to know also...maybe without knowing why either...so just for grins and giggles...have you?? Oh and yes probably a mild bout of prostatitis...Having sex while riding a bicycle...or lifting weights or having a dre would never produce that much of a rise....yes 1.3 is a great score for your age...keep exercising and practicing moderation in your life.
Posted 7/16/2018 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like prostatitis. Ask for a Prostate Health Index (PHI) test next time- it's less affected by prostatitis.
Posted 7/16/2018 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
If there's any inflammation in the prostate (prostatitis) anti-inflammatories like ASA and Advil can lower PSA test results.
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