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follow up PSA after surgery

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Posted 11/4/2017 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Just got my 2nd PSA following RALP and it was reported as <.05. I have not seen the results reported like this before. I know you are wanting things to be under .03 so it being reported this way is confusing. Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks
Posted 11/4/2017 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
The "less than" sign means that the machine used to measure the PSA could not detect any. Some labs use equipment that dan detect lower levels, and there is an active debate among doctors about what is the appropriate level of sensitivity they should use in testing. Anyhow, that's good news. Go celebrate!
Posted 11/4/2017 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Say goodbye to this darn disease and go live life!!!
Posted 11/4/2017 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
PARTY TIME!!!

Congratulations!

Andrew
Posted 11/4/2017 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you...

Things seems to be getting on track physically also-- I am now continent and around 70% erection without Viagra and 90% with.

If my PSA was <.05 does that mean I did not get the ultra sensitive test? if you are looking at staying under .03 it seems like the lab cut off would be lower. Thank you for your support
Posted 11/4/2017 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you got an ultra sensitive test, the specific test machine that was used has a reportable range starting from 0.05. Your PSA is lower than its reportable range so the machine reports <0.05. This test is also called a third generation PSA test machine.
First generation PSA tests (in the 1980s) had their lowest reported value 0.3
Second generation PSA test lowest reported value is 0.1, those test are also known as "the standard test".

If you need to know exactly how low your PSA is you need to find a lab that use some other test machine. Some machines goes as low as 0.006 I think.
Posted 11/4/2017 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
The important thing is the "<" symbol. The first 2 yrs I lived in an area where the ONLY ultrasensitive test that was available was at the local Uro (there was only one) office, and it recorded <0.04. I moved a year ago, and now I'm getting <0.006. It really doesn't matter. You're 'less than' or "undetectable". Which means drinks at the virtual bar are on you!
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