What Causes Elevated PSA In Blood?

Posted on Sat, 31 Oct 2015

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

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 Answered on

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 78 and have had a psa as high as 4.9 two years ago but now is down to 4.6. My doctor said to have another psa in 3 to 6 months. Is this right advice?

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Sonawane (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello yes it does. its not high for your age group

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
PSA is done to screen the patients who might have chances of prostate cancer. But as age advances, the upper limit or cutoff for positive test also keeps going higher. For your age group ie. 70-79 it is around 6.5.
But your is still nearby that range that is the reason your doctor have told you to repeat the test after few months just to monitor the levels.
If at all it goes beyond the upper limit, then further investigations and management may be required.
So your values are still not in range so as to call it prostatic cancer.
Do follow ups and repeat the test again after 3-6 months and follow up with your doctor.
I hope i have answered your query well.
Ifyou have any more query kindly write back to me will be happy to answer them.
Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina