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6 Month PSA Re-Test?

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Posted 6/13/2008 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
 Went in for my 6 month meeting with the Doc.  PSA was reported @ 0.1, which the nurse commented as "that's interesting, it doesn't say <0.1 or undetectable. But with all the other results you should be OK."  This started me worrying.  When I asked the Doc about this he said that unless the next one comes back higher not to worry.

Of course I used a different lab for the test this time and reading the results from the first test there is a footnote that says "Values obtained from different assay methods cannot be used interchangeably. PSA levels regardless of value, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence".

I know from working in a chemical lab for 30 years that different people can run the same test on the same sample and get different results. But I'm still somewhat concerned.

I'm wondering if I should go back and have a retest done now or just wait until 9 months

Wayne

Posted 6/13/2008 12:44 PM (GMT 0)

First, congrats on the .1 

Statistically, especially with a new lab doing it, you still have zero's.  I wouldn't put too much weight or worry about it.  By changing labs, you changed the base conditions, so the old <.1 or undetectable is the new .1  Same thing, different way of stating it, in my opinion.  If it really bothers you, then retest, but don't switch back and forth between labs....lol

Posted 6/13/2008 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on your 0.1 PSA! I wouldn't be concerned that there's no 'less than sign' < in front of it. Tim
Posted 6/13/2008 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Wayne

As I look back something simular happended to me, my first two were given to me as undetectable and then at 9 months I got the report of .2 and was told they round every reading to the nearest tenth. As I went back to my first two results the first one stated <.1 then the second on just stated .1 and then of course came the .2. But like you I waited for my 9 month appointment not realizing it and as I look back now there was a sign that it was probably rising but I didn't know it. They checked me 2 more times 2 months apart with it increasing each time before we started down the path of salvage radiation. Becasue of my pathology report while concerned didn't get too alarmed figuring the chances are it was some local cells left behind that salvage radiation has a good chance to take care of, time will tell as I just finished 36 treatments last week and now wait until August 5th to see what the next PSA reading will say. As the others have said it's .1 or less so there may nothing to worry about and your 9 month test will validate if it's headed up or was it just stated wrong or was the reason the different lab.

Good luck and I will be interested in your 9 month results again hopefully stating <.1
Norskie
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