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Objective:
Determine the significance and clinical use of Prostate Specific Antigen in clinical practice
Lab Test Name:
Prostate Specific Antigen – PSA
Description:
Measurement of PSA in the bloodstream
Used to diagnose and assess prostate health, size and function.
Indications:
Evaluate:
- Enlarged prostate when prostate cancer is suspected
- Stage cancer
- Effectiveness of treatments
Normal Therapeutic Values:
Normal –
- Male: < 4 ng/mL
- Female: < 0.5 ng/mL
Collection:
What would cause increased levels?
Increased:
- Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
- Prostate cancer
- Prostatitis
- Urinary retention
What would cause decreased levels?
Decreased:
- Long-term use of NSAIDs- explained in part by the anti-inflammatory effect of these medications
- Thiazides- reduces bioavailable testosterone, associated with resulting in functional hypogonadism
- Statins- cholesterol plays a role in synthesis of androgen, which affects the size of the prostate
- 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors- due to the effect on prostate size.
