HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Psa Anxiety

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/8/2015 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Time to start contemplating some very small numbers.
I just received my latest numbers... PSA is now being reported as 0.01. Testosterone is 26.8 (approximately 770)

Now, the contemplating... The 0.01 is a new reporting procedure from the lab my Onc. uses. My PSA was <0.04 for the past few tests. I know 0.01 is less than 0.04 but there is lack of that "<" sign. I double checked with Onc.and there is no "Less than".
I know I shouldn't worry but looking at facing ADT again has me nervous. I really don't want to go down that road again. I would feel much better with that little "<"!

I guess 3 more months will tell the tale. Hence the Anxiety.
BTW... Testosterone up there feels great... Mixed emotions today.
Posted 4/8/2015 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
the "<" just indicates that the lab can't test for amounts lower than this.

Likely you've been .01 all along

Still a good number and now you've got three months to enjoy life without thinking about this.

Andrew
Posted 4/9/2015 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, I don't think this is meaningful and certainly not in a negative way. Like you I am on a "holiday" from ADT starting last May. However, my Docs at MD Anderson use .1 as the cut-off between undetectable and detectable. I get tested every month and so far, thank God, I am still < 0.1. You are an order of magnitude less than that. If you still worry, you could increase the frequency of testing but that, I can tell you, also increases the psa anxiety still further.

Maybe you need to take a holiday from the anxiety as well.
Posted 4/9/2015 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
The lab tech took it upon themselves to omit the < and simply put .01 saying to themselves... .01 is as low as they go and patients probably don't even know what > is, so why confuse the patient. the majority of techs are professional enough to go by the book. Its just like the nurse will tell you one the phone , oh Its .01 even with a less caret there. They don't think its important. bored workers trying to be creative. Obviously this is all speculation on my part , but Ive had it done enough times to me and can not think of any reason they would do that. This is true, only if the < is in fact on the report. You could pursue it with the lab or doctor or to check if the cast is there. I bet it is. I had a .1 in std test, immediately had a ultra . it came back .07. Im not worried about a .07 after 5 years, as a matter of fact. I don't even do psa tests any more. Fool,arrogant, gutsy, stupid dumb. thats my choice and really don't need any support other than my wife to be comfortable. If recure, oh well I'ill out live it and die. somethings got to be the cause of my death. What Me Worry/ tongue
Posted 4/9/2015 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
I know... Hopefully just a blip. This is a perfect example of where ultra sensitive testing causes more anxiety than good.... Well that and the lab changing procedural reporting.
Posted 4/10/2015 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
You are still in the safe range...0.01 or <0.04 is still undetectable...Their term is above 0.1 then known as detectable.
No worry...have a nice week-end...TGIF
Posted 4/10/2015 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Too young -
That's a great #. I don't think we'll ever get over PSA anxiety, no matter how it's reported. Any value at all gets our mind starting to think about trends compared to prior values.
At least you've got 3 months at a "0" or undetectAble amount. I still get monthly labs and I'm nearly 2.5 years into my diagnosis. I'm looking forward to a potential HT vacation someday but I'd love to get 3 months in between pokes as a starter...
Enjoy your 0. Take care,
Posted 4/10/2015 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reassuring comments. I don't want to come off as not grateful. Just a little concerned on a possible trend. With so much on the line, it's hard not to be concerned.
And yes yk, weekend is coming! Time to enjoy that "normal T level"!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply