Blood test shows prostate inflammation

Blood test for prostatitis - what indicators are needed for diagnosis

For a full diagnosis of diseases of the prostate gland, a single analysis or study is not enough. To make the correct diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive examination. It usually includes a general and biochemical blood test, a laboratory study of prostatic secretions and a smear from the urethra, as well as a PSA level determination.

Prostate health index PHI is very important. If the level of prostate-specific antigen can increase in many diseases of the prostate, then the PHI index is used to diagnose cancer. This is a screening method of research - the PHI health index allows you to identify a malignant tumor in the early stages, as well as assess the likelihood of its formation.

General clinical and biochemical tests

A general clinical blood test is called a general blood test. It is shown to all patients, without exception, who are being examined in the hospital. For the study, capillary blood is taken from a finger. Such a blood test is done in surgical, therapeutic, gynecological, pediatric, urological departments, since the results of this research method give an idea of the general condition of the body.

Most often, a doctor prescribes an abbreviated complete blood count for a man. It makes it possible to determine the level of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, as well as ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). If it was possible to identify a deviation of these indicators from the norm, the doctor may prescribe a detailed complete blood count, which is more informative.

Transcript of results:

• The hemoglobin level in men is normally in the range of 130-160 grams per liter. As a rule, this indicator does not change with prostatitis. However, the amount of hemoglobin can decrease with various anemias in men.
• In healthy adult males, the normal level of red blood cells (oxygen-carrying cells) is 4.0-5.510 12 per liter. A decrease in the number of red blood cells also indicates anemia.
• For both men and women, the rate of red blood cells is 4.0-9.010 9 per liter. Their level usually rises sharply with acute inflammation (medics call this phenomenon leukocytosis). Changes in the qualitative and quantitative composition of leukocytes make it possible to understand the nature of inflammation.
• An increase in neutrophils indicates a bacterial infection. If we are talking about acute prostatitis, the causative agents can be chlamydia, trichomonas, mycoplasmas, E. coli or some other microbes.
• Lymphocytosis (or an increase in the level of lymphocytes) indicates a viral infection. Inflammation of the prostate is most often caused by the herpes simplex virus in men.
• The indicated indicators may deviate from the norm in chronic prostatitis, however, leukocytosis will be less pronounced.
• An increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) also speaks in favor of inflammation, and not necessarily the prostate gland. Other studies are needed to clarify the diagnosis.

Blood biochemistry is usually prescribed for the purpose of differential diagnosis, that is, to identify other diseases that a man may have. Indicators may change with pyelonephritis or other complications of chronic inflammation of the prostate. To make a biochemical analysis, it is necessary to take blood from a vein. The results are interpreted by a doctor.

Fact! As a rule, an increase in the level of urea, creatinitis, a violation of the electrolyte composition (sodium, calcium) indicates problems with the kidneys. Typically, these test results indicate the development of renal failure.

Immunological study

One of the most informative immunological methods for the etiological diagnosis of prostatitis is enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). It allows you to identify not only bacterial, but also viral, fungal infection. Also, the ELISA method is used to diagnose inflammation of the prostate gland caused by STDs. Advantages of the ELISA method:

• quick results;
• high sensitivity and specificity;
• the ability to distinguish between acute and chronic infections;
• accessibility.

As you know, infectious prostatitis in men develops due to the penetration of various microorganisms into the prostate gland. In response to this, the body begins the synthesis of special protective proteins - antibodies. They are produced to antigens (foreign particles) of viruses, bacteria, fungi. The ELISA method allows you to identify these same antibodies (or immunoglobulins of classes G and M).

Detection of class M antibodies by ELISA indicates an acute infection, G - a chronic one. Sometimes IgGs remain after a past infection.The disadvantage of the ELISA method is that it does not make it possible to isolate the pathogen - it can only be used to evaluate the immune response. This study is used to diagnose such infections:

• herpetic;
• fungal;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydial;
• ureaplasma;
• gonococcal.

Important! The ELISA method allows you to establish the etiology (cause) of inflammation, even in the case of a negative bacteriological study of the prostatic secretion. Therefore, it is often used in the diagnosis of acute and chronic prostatitis.

Determination of PSA level in venous blood

For the study, blood is taken from a vein. At the same time, the level of free, total PSA, as well as -2pro PSA is determined. After that, the PHI health index is calculated, and its interpretation is carried out by a specialist. As a rule, the level of the common prostate-specific antigen rises in such cases:

• acute or exacerbation of chronic prostatitis;
• benign hyperplasia or adenoma;
• recent prostate massage, physical activity;
• malignant neoplasms of an organ.

The PHI health index measures the risk of developing cancer in men. It is calculated by the doctor based on total, free and -2pro PSA. Results interpretation:

• PHI health index in the range of 0-21% indicates a low risk of developing a cancerous tumor;
• 21-40% - the average probability of a malignant neoplasm;
• It is very bad if your PHI is above 40 - this indicates an increased risk of developing cancer.

Advice! This study should be carried out for all men over 40 years old, as they have a particularly high risk of developing a malignant neoplasm of the prostate gland.

Basic and additional tests for diagnosing prostatitis in men

Prostatitis has no clear symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis of pathology in the early stages.

This cannot be done without the use of additional analyzes. But what tests for prostatitis do you need to pass?

After all, only laboratory tests allow us to establish the current stage of inflammation of the gland and the severity of the pathological process.

In the article we will talk about the diagnosis of prostatitis, tests, how to determine the insidious disease.

Tests for prostatitis in men

Tests for establishing inflammation of the prostate gland - a set of clinical studies that allow you to find out the following points:

• general condition of the penis;
• presence of inflammation;
• stages of tissue damage.

In addition, clinical examinations may be recommended. It is the totality of analytical data that allows the doctor to get a complete picture of the patient's health status.

What tests to take for prostatitis? In order to obtain a complete picture of the disease, the urologist prescribes the following laboratory tests:

• general urinalysis;
• general blood test;
• prostate secretion analysis;
• analysis of urethral secretion.

Let's consider what tests for prostatitis you need to pass - an examination plan:

Urine analysis

If prostatitis is suspected, a urinalysis is the first test to be taken.

Examination of the patient's urine allows the doctor to identify inflammation affecting the prostate gland.

If the urine test shows an increased content of leukocytes, then this confirms the presence of inflammation.

Urine analysis for prostatitis - indicators:

Urine density and CFU are less effective in diagnosing prostatitis. Exceeding the permissible limits may indicate the pathology of the genitourinary system as a whole.

General blood test for prostatitis

What other tests are done for prostatitis in men? One of them is a blood test for prostatitis. Blood sampling for research is carried out from a finger strictly on an empty stomach. Below you can see the indicators of the general blood test for prostatitis.

A blood test for prostatitis is the norm:

• increased white blood cell counts (more than 9109);
• increased ESR (over 5 mm/h);
• fixation of stab leukocytes (more than 4);
• low hemoglobin values (less than 110 g/l).

If such deviations are found in the blood test for prostatitis, then they indicate a long-term inflammation.

Examination of prostate secretions

Significant research indicators are:

They must be present in the secret in a significant amount.

In the presence of chronic inflammation of the prostate, lecithin grains can either be completely absent or be determined by a small number.

Shouldn't be fixed.

If pathogenic microorganisms are detected, it is recommended to perform a bacterial culture of the prostate secretion with the determination of the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics.

Sometimes, against the background of a good analysis, a person has symptoms of prostatitis. In this case, a provocative test may be prescribed. The patient is given intravenous prednisolone or pyrogenal. Then the prostate secretion is retaken and urine is collected.

The injected drug activates the excretion of leukocytes (in the presence of latent prostatitis). An increased content of leukocytes in the biological fluids of a man confirms the pathology.

Fluorescent microscopy gives good results. The method allows you to identify even single cells of the cylindrical epithelium, which becomes a confirmation of chronic prostatitis.

Urethral scraping analysis

Very often, inflammation of the urethra - urethritis - becomes a pathology associated with prostatitis. To diagnose the disease, a scraping is performed using a sterile probe inserted into the lumen of the urethra to a depth of three to four centimeters.

In case of urethritis, the analysis shows the presence of bacteria in the test material, as well as an increase in the number of leukocytes (more than three in the field of view). In addition, an increased content of mucus and epithelial cells is recorded.

Additional laboratory tests

What tests to take for prostatitis? Quite often, in order to obtain a clearer picture of the disease, the urologist prescribes additional studies.

Such a measure is practiced if the previously prescribed drug therapy did not bring the expected result.

It can also be caused by the symptoms of complications of prostatitis.

Here may be prescribed: a blood test for PSA, bacteriological culture of prostate secretion, PCR, spermogram.

PSA blood test

Protein PSA (prostate specific antigen) is produced by gland tissues. Its main function is to liquefy semen. Exceeding the permissible norm of PSA may indicate the presence of malignant cells, as well as other pathological changes in the tissues of the prostate gland.

Three types of PSA are of diagnostic interest:

• linked;
• general.

During the normal functioning of the secretory epithelium of the prostate, PSA in the blood of a man is determined no more than 4 ng / ml.

The content of the total antigen in the blood in the range of 4-10 ng / ml is a sign of the following pathologies:

For a more accurate interpretation of the analysis, the content of specific protein fractions is considered:

• Decrease in free PSA becomes one of the signs of the development of prostate cancer;
• an increase in the allowable free PSA rate indicates a chronic form of prostatitis.

Bacteriological culture of prostate secretions

Analysis refers to bacteriological research. The analysis allows you to identify the pathogen and establish its sensitivity to various types of antibiotics.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

PCR diagnostics is one of the most effective methods widely used in urological practice.

The analysis is performed in a short time and shows a high accuracy of the result (up to 99.9%).

It is PCR that is the most informative method for diagnosing inflammation of the prostate gland.

The PCR technique detects the DNA of all pathogens present in the taken biological material.

This makes it possible to select adequate drug therapy. In addition, the study reveals even single viruses and bacteria, which is completely impossible with other methods.

Spermogram

What is a spermogram for prostatitis? What is it made for? The study allows you to identify the inflammatory process. Most often, semen analysis is prescribed in tandem with prostate secretion culture.

The assessment of the received material is carried out according to the following indicators:

Preparation for surrender requires sexual abstinence for at least two days. During this period, it is necessary to refrain from taking coffee, alcohol, any medications and visiting saunas, baths, solariums. All sperm obtained is used for analysis.

Conclusion

Prostatitis is one of the most serious diseases of the male reproductive system, which significantly worsens the patient's quality of life. It is necessary to pass tests for prostatitis! After all, conducting a comprehensive analysis allows not only to identify pathology at the beginning of its development, but also to draw up an optimal treatment regimen.

Useful video

What tests to take with prostatitis? Watch the video below:

Indicators of a blood test for prostatitis and prostate adenoma in men

Timely diagnosis is a guarantee of effective treatment of the disease.This also applies to diseases associated with various pathological processes that develop in the prostate gland.

Negative changes in the work of an important male organ can manifest themselves in different ways.

Therefore, the appointment of various tests, their competent decoding play a decisive role in successful treatment, the return of a man to his usual way of life.

Which and how do they take tests for prostatitis in men?

In diseases of the prostate, the most important are urine, blood, and semen tests. Assessment of the state of urine is one of the most informative types of laboratory research in this case.

Thanks to this analysis, the doctor can identify the course of an acute differentiated or chronic stage of the disease.

Quite often, patients need to undergo a PSA test, as well as donate seminal fluid for the necessary studies. Further, each type of analysis will be described in more detail.

The PSA test is a diagnostic procedure. It is prescribed to men in case of suspicion of a malignant tumor that develops in the prostate gland.

Normally, a small amount of specific prostate antigen is produced.

Even with a slight increase in this indicator, the doctor can conclude that a man develops prostatitis. If the concentration of the antigen is higher, this indicates the development of a malignant tumor.

PSA test does not require special preparation. If the disease is in an acute form, it is recommended to postpone the test. A few days before the examination, you can not have sexual intercourse.

The procedure includes the following steps:

• the patient's arm above the elbow is pinched with a tourniquet;
• with a normal flow of the blood stream, the tourniquet is removed completely or slightly weakened;
• The needle is carefully pulled out of the vein, tightly pressing the puncture site with a swab.

This blood sampling procedure takes no more than 5 minutes. The laboratory assistant puts the taken blood into a test tube.

The material is sent to the laboratory to perform the necessary research. For men of the European race (age up to 50 years), the rate normally does not exceed 2.5 ng / ml.

Urine analysis helps to determine the presence of prostatitis at an early stage.

Deciphering the analysis of the patient's urine is carried out taking into account the following indicators:

• leukocytes: normal value is 0.3. If their level is elevated, this indicates that an inflammatory process is developing;
• proteins: in a healthy patient, there are no proteins in the composition of the urine. Otherwise, we can conclude about the development of prostatitis and other diseases;
• erythrocytes: their indicator should not be less than 5 units. An increase in this indicator indicates an abscess.

Urine should be collected for analysis in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. For a full-fledged study, 5-6 ml of urine is enough.

Semen

In the course of chronic prostatitis, sperm sampling should be carried out regularly. In this case, the attending physician will be able to monitor the dynamics of the development of the disease, as well as prevent the development of complications.

A spermogram is performed if a man experiences pain during urination, problems with potency, and also feels discomfort in the perineum.

Before conducting a spermogram, you should refrain from sexual intercourse for 4-5 days. As a rule, the delivery of the ejaculate is carried out in the laboratory (obtaining the material is carried out by masturbation). In some clinics, the option is allowed when a man brings sperm from home.

However, in this case, the material must be brought to the laboratory no later than 1 hour after receipt. Otherwise, the results of the obtained analyzes may be unreliable.

Normal sperm has the following qualities:

• pH level: 7.2-7.8;
• the presence of a specific smell;
• ejaculate should not "stick together";
• 1 ml of semen should contain at least 15 million spermatozoa.

In case of inflammation of the prostate gland, the shade of sperm may become brown, red. Fluidization rates change quite often.

What does a blood test show for prostatitis?

The body always reacts to inflammation occurring in any part of the body. Accordingly, changes in the composition of the blood with prostatitis occur without fail. Indicators of the general blood test, which are obtained in the event of the development of prostatitis, have characteristic changes for the inflammatory process.

The following are the most common blood disorders that occur with prostatitis:

• leukocyte count: the norm is no more than 9109.An increase in their composition indicates inflammation;
• hemoglobin: indicators decrease, which indicates a decrease in the body's resistance to infectious diseases and other negative factors;
• lymphocytes: the number of white blood cells increases in case of damage to the tissues of the gland of an infectious nature. These results allow to identify the development of bacterial prostatitis. Additional tests may be ordered to identify an infectious agent.

ESR in prostate diseases

The indicator normally does not exceed 5 units. An increase indicates the course of the inflammatory process.

If the difference is too high, this may indicate the development of cancer. After deciphering the results, the doctor draws up a conclusion.

Based on this, the specialist can make an appointment. At the same time, he is interested in whether the patient has allergic reactions or a predisposition to them.

Prostate adenoma test

An elevated PSA concentration in the blood is a tumor indicative marker.

It is the first diagnostic sign of male ailments: prostatitis, as well as prostate adenoma. Carrying out such a test does not require special professional skills, the use of special equipment.

Accordingly, it can be easily used at home or in the laboratory. The time it takes to get the test result is no more than 15 minutes.

If the result is positive, two bars appear on the indicator (the intensity of the bars may vary). One bar indicates a negative result.

What to do in order not to distort the results of the study?

To obtain the most accurate, reliable test results, you must follow some rules. First, a man needs to give up sexual intimacy for 5-7 days.

It is necessary to exclude the use of antibiotics, refuse to go to the sauna.

It is also not recommended to consume carbonated, alcoholic drinks. Before giving a urine test, you need to wash the penis and collect the material in a clean container.

Related video

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