Is No More < Sign Reason For Concern?

For the last 6 years my results have always been <0.03, until recently. My results this week were 0.04 with no < sign. I went to same place I've always gone to and I'm not sure they are using a different machine now or not. I know it's no big deal and I'm still in the undetectable range but wouldn't < 0.04 be better than 0.04?

Kwoo, in pc world, anything with a < is better than the same number without a <. However, I would say at this point, it’s reason to be vigilant, but not reason for concern.

You haven’t exhibited a clear rising trend yet. If you got 2 more increases, then I would say it’s time to at least start talking to a radiation oncologist.
Also, it’s definitely worth asking the lab if they’ve changed their assay method. We find that’s often an issue.

Going from <0.03 to 0.04 is definitely a tiny, tiny uptick. At this point it's probably something to watch but not something to worry about excessively. If it keeps trending up over the next few tests then you can pay attention.

How worrisome it is to have a PSA rise in this low ultra-sensitive range depends on your risk category and how long after surgery your PSA starts to rise. A man who was a high-volume Gleason 9 would be talking to radiation oncologists if he saw a raise like yours six months after surgery. But your risk was on the low end of middlin' after your surgery and has been drifting down with time during the six years since.