Do Blood Thinners Cause High PSA Levels?

Posted on Thu, 28 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 May 2015 Answered on

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Age 81, Had annual physical 7 weeks ago, normal DRE, PSA was 7.0 Returned for repeat PSA and recv'd 14 reading. Been on blood thinner for four years. Physically and sexually active and not active for 7 days prior to most recent exam yesterday. I am very suspicious the blood thinner is contributing to this high reading. I have a follow-up meeting schedule with a urologist. in one week.

Any suggestions before the biopsy question comes up.

Had a biopsy 7 years ago after PSA 0f 10 Negative been in the 3-5 range since then

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I don't see a relationship between the blood thinner and PSA levels

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the PSA levels may fluctuate depending on various known and unknown factors. A repeat measurement wouldn't have gone amiss. I would have asked for a new measurement 4-6 weeks after the first, provided that the patient had no symptoms.

There is no connection with the blood thinner. A urinary tract infection (including prostatitis) might increase the PSA level, so any urinary tract symptoms have to be evaluated.

If your PSA 'insists' on rising without any alternative explanation then you won't avoid the biopsy.

Contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar