HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Trying to understand my numbers.

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/7/2015 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
about a month ago blood work revealed my PSA AT 8.7. Then trial of Cipro for 3 weeks and follow-up blood work reveals PSA 10.46, this blood work we added the Free-PSA which was 0.94 ng/ml. Lab states the
free/total ratio is 9%.

Scheduled to see my primary tomorrow but trying to better understand my risk category based on these numbers. Any thoughts appreciated.
Posted 7/7/2015 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
welcome to HW, sorry you need to be talking to us.

You should get a referral to a good URO. I am thinking this has moved beyond something your primary care doctor can deal with. The other possibilities include enlarged prostate and a really difficult infection. A URO might want to try another kind of antibiotic and do some other testing (possibly some imagining).

It seems like a very fast jump. PC is usually a bit more slow moving. Infection will cause it to jump around.

Just the PSA and FreePSA only tell you that you need more testing. While it's alarming to see the numbers jump like that, all I can say is that you need to get more information.

Hang in there and let us know what your doctor says,
Andrew
Posted 7/7/2015 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
Evets,
Welcome to HW. Don't wait to schedule that appt. PC docs just don't pay enough attention to prostate issues, imho. If your insurance will cover seeing a urologist without a referral,just go for it.
Beth
Posted 7/7/2015 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
evets to avoid confusion, PC in celebrate's post means primary care{gp} in the shops's PC means Prostate cancer. ps get ye to a urologist the GP's work is done.

Post Edited (logoslidat) : 7/7/2015 8:26:37 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/7/2015 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. Sorry you find yourself here but glad you found us. Hope we can help.

The general rule with prostate cancer is "you never really get to know anything for sure." You seem to be a good example. That almost two point jump in your PSA sounds like an infection since prostate cancer is generally slow growing, at least at first, but then again the Cipro didn't seem to do anything and even when antibiotics can't quite clear up an infection they usually knock it back enough for the PSA to go down somewhat. And your free PSA ratio isn't so great.

Other things that can cause your PSA to measure high are sex during the 48 hours before blood is drawn, or bicycle riding, or nasal decongestants, or bullriding, or a doctor who does a digital exam first and draws your blood second.

So, as Beth said, it's time to see a Urologist. Your primary care doctor is out of his depth.
Posted 7/7/2015 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'll agree on the advice to see a Uro soon. My GP (general practice) doc ships you out to a uro at the first sign of issues. The GP knows he is not a specialist, and does not want to pretend to be one.

You have just enough information to know that something is wrong (yes, maybe as simple as too much bike riding), but there is no reason to start off presuming the worst. Consider it as one possibility, but don't panic.
Posted 7/7/2015 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Unless you have a humongous-sized prostate, a PSA over 10 is considered very high, especially since it didn't come down after Cipro. The % free PSA under 10% is another risk factor. Your next appointment should be with a urologist who will give you a digital/rectal exam (DRE), estimate the size of your prostate, and probably schedule you for a biopsy.

- Allen
Posted 7/8/2015 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I am going to ditto the recommendation of Tall Allen and the rest of the bang that chimed in. Get yourself an appointment wi a top notch URO asap.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply