What Causes Constant Increase In PSA Levels?

Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2015

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

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I may have a prostate issue ... I have a PSA of 4.5 and am 56 years old ... I spiked from 2.96 last year ... I am seeing a urologist on Tuesday for further examination and testing ... How concerned should I be?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
PSA 4.5 is still nothing serious in my opinion

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. The rise over the last year is significant, but a value of 4.5 is not really high and could still be due to BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia), which is a harmless condition which entails enlargement of the prostate and has nothing to do with cancer.

I do not see any major cause for concern, and all I would recommend at this juncture if I were your doctor would be medications to control your BPH (e.g. tamsulosin and dutasteride). BPH can take PSA levels up to 10 safely, without any major cause for concern.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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