How can a dog increase with prostatitis

PSA analysis for prostatitis: norm, features of preparation and recommendations

PSA protein is a prostate-specific antigen produced by the tissues of the prostate gland. This protein is required to liquefy male sperm. It should be noted that malignant neoplasms produce a greater amount of this substance. That is why PSA is used as a tumor marker for Prostate cancer. At the same time, any pathological process can affect the amount of protein produced. Therefore, PSA analysis for prostatitis is mandatory. It will allow to identify oncology or adenoma.

Why Protein Levels Increase

To determine the level of protein, a general PSA blood test is taken for prostatitis. The norm of the antigen is no more than 4 ng / ml. The production of this protein increases significantly during the formation of malignant cells. Otherwise, the production of antigen increases due to other factors:

It is worth noting that PSA analysis for prostatitis allows you to identify any deviations and disorders in the functioning of the prostate gland. Most of the men who have an elevated antigen level do not suffer from oncology. The protein concentration may increase as a result of bladder surgery or prostate biopsy, as well as during ejaculation and prolonged exercise.

When analysis is scheduled

Not only with prostatitis, you need to take a PSA test. Such a laboratory study is assigned:

To monitor the progress of prostate cancer. This allows you to check the effectiveness of the chosen therapy. If you suspect the formation of a tumor of the prostate. This can happen as a result of other studies: ultrasound, rectal digital examination, and so on. For prevention. Such an analysis is prescribed for men over 40 years of age to detect an increase in PSA levels. After antitumor treatment, which was carried out after the discovery of prostate cancer. After such therapy, it is recommended to undergo such an examination every 3 months. Preparing for the analysis To take a PSA test for prostatitis, you need to carefully prepare. Otherwise, the protein level readings will be incorrect. Experts recommend:

The study is carried out in a laboratory within one day. For this, the patient needs to write out a referral from the attending physician, prepare, and then donate blood from a vein. In some cases, either total PSA or free antigen is required. This is required for an accurate diagnosis.

How to understand the results

PSA analysis for prostatitis can be interpreted in several ways. Antigen levels are usually measured in nanograms per milliliter of blood. However, some experts argue that it is necessary to lower the minimum threshold to 2.5 ng / mg. This will of course allow more prostate diseases to be detected. However, there is a risk that doctors as a result of such a test will begin to treat cancer that is clinically irrelevant. When diagnosing, only three forms of protein are taken into account:

It is found in the blood and makes up only 20% of the total PSA level. A protein associated with a2-macroglobulin or a1-antichymotrypsin. Only the latter type of antigen can be determined in the laboratory. The total PSA is the total amount of protein that enters the bloodstream. What indicates prostatitis Prostatitis, in fact, is not a malignant disease. After all, it does not even increase the likelihood of developing cancer of the gland. However, regular monitoring of the PSA level allows the specialist to correctly adjust the therapy aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process.

If the concentration of the antigen is from 4 to 10 ng / ml, then this may indicate the development of the following ailments:

• prostatitis;
• benign prostatic hyperplasia;
• prostate cancer, in this case, the risk of diagnosing this disease increases by 25%.

It is worth noting that experts call such an indicator of the PSA level a gray zone. If the concentration of the antigen increases by more than 10 ng / ml, then the likelihood of developing an oncological process increases by about 67%.

Often, the level of total PSA directly depends on the type of prostate disease. Such an analysis is often used for differential diagnosis.

How disease is defined

If the general PSA blood test for prostatitis is carried out correctly, and the protein level is at least 4 ng / ml and not more than 10 ng / ml, then when making a diagnosis, doctors look at the following protein fractions and their ratios:

Additional data

A total PSA blood test for prostatitis, the cost of which is specified in the clinic, is recommended to be taken by men over the age of 50 every year.At the same time, to improve the test, specialists introduced additional indicators that allow us to consider the protein in accordance with various parameters.

The analysis takes into account the density of the PSA. This allows calculations of antigen concentration in relation to the size of the gland itself, which are determined by transrectal ultrasound. Low protein density may indicate that the main reason for its growth lies in the development of prostatitis.

The speed of the PSA is also taken into account. This is a comparison of the antigen over certain periods of time. If the indicator increases rapidly, then the doctor can diagnose acute prostatitis or the initial stage of cancer.

Protein levels to be monitored

Only a general PSA blood test for prostatitis allows you to track the level of protein. The specialist should definitely know the features of this test. For example, recent studies have shown that it is prostatitis that can lead to an increase in the serum level of the antigen. You should take the test even in cases where there are no signs of inflammation and a digital rectal examination did not reveal any abnormalities, and the rate of increase in PSA concentration has increased.

Such phenomena primarily indicate that the main organ of the reproductive system does not perform its functions well due to certain disorders. If there are sharp jumps in indicators, then experts recommend:

Even if prostatitis has not been diagnosed, it is still worth doing another antigen test. If the protein level remains elevated, the doctor may order a biopsy. This will either exclude or confirm the development of oncology.

Final

At the same time, in some clinics, the patient must additionally pay for taking blood from a vein. The exact price can be checked in the laboratory.

It is worth noting that there is no direct evidence that prostatitis leads to prostate cancer. Malignant cells are not always formed. However, the histological signs of prostatitis are often detected by specialists in the study of cancerous tissues of the prostate. Therefore, a blood test for the amount of PSA should be carried out regularly.

General PSA blood test for prostatitis - norm and deviations

Contents: What is PSA in prostatitis Does PSA increase in prostatitis Indicators - norm and deviations What can affect the level of PSA Is it enough to take PSA for diagnosis How to take PSA correctly - preparation Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs and disorders of the genitourinary system have a similar symptoms and clinical manifestations. To differentiate the disease, a general diagnosis of the body is carried out, including a biochemical study.

A general PSA blood test for prostatitis is included in the standard list of examinations. The results refute or confirm the presence of inflammation and help in differentiating cancer.

What is PSA for prostatitis

Prostate-specific antigen is a protein produced by the prostate gland. In a normal state, a healthy man has a small amount of PSA in the blood, no more than a few ng. Any disorders associated with inflammation and injuries of the prostate will instantly affect the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.

PSA analysis is prescribed for suspected prostatitis. If traditional instrumental diagnostics of ultrasound and TRUS do not give results, but the amount of protein is clearly increased, additional studies are carried out using MRI and PET-CT.

Relatively recently, a detailed PSA3 blood test was developed. In this case, the ratio of total and free protein is examined. The results make it possible to distinguish prostatitis from prostate cancer with high accuracy.

The PSA marker is also called a tumor marker. The research methodology is the most informative in the case of cancer, but the results of the tests are also necessary for making an accurate diagnosis in case of inflammation of the prostate.

Does PSA increase with inflammation of the prostate

Prostate-specific antigen enters the blood through the tissues of the prostate. If there is no damage in the prostate caused by inflammation of any organ of the genitourinary system, the protein will be within the normal range. In inflammatory processes in the prostate, a change in the volume of PSA occurs.

It is worth noting that a sharp exacerbation of prostatitis leads to an abrupt increase in indicators. After the inflammation has been eliminated, the volume of the antigen returns to normal.

If the PSA level is greatly increased with prostatitis, this may indicate that the inflammation has degenerated into a cancerous tumor, which is possible in the chronic form of the disease. In any case, a clarification of the diagnosis will be required.

The increase in PSA in prostatitis reaches 4-10 ng / ml. Urologists diagnose the given values as a "grey zone". Indicators increased over 10 ng / ml. with an accuracy of 67-70% they talk about the onset of cancer.

PSA values for prostatitis - norm and deviations

If prostatitis is suspected, biochemical blood tests for the presence of an antigen are performed. Analysis indicators help to determine with high accuracy the presence of inflammation of the prostate gland in acute or chronic form.

The normal PSA for inflammation of the prostate varies from 4-10 ng / ml. The attending physician monitors the indicators to determine how effective drug therapy turned out to be and adjust the prescription of medications.

When deciphering the analyzes, the following indicators are taken into account:

• The reason for the changes is due to the fact that cancer cells secrete antichymotrepsin, which increases the amount of bound forms of the protein. At the same time, there is a decrease in free PSA and an increase in the total antigen.
• The chronic form of prostatitis is diagnosed with a reverse trend in volume. The level of free PSA increases in relation to the general indicators.
• Acute prostatitis is diagnosed by monitoring protein levels over a period of time. The rapid growth of the antigen indicates the development of an inflammatory process or cancer.

The reference value most favorable for therapy is 4-10 ng/ml. At this stage of growth, there is an opportunity to prevent the further progress of the disease and prevent it from turning into a malignant form.

What can affect PSA levels

Factors that can lead to an increase in the level of prostate-specific antigen are not always directly related to the inflammatory process. An increase in protein in the blood also occurs for quite common reasons:

• Recent sex or masturbation
• Active load on the pelvic region. The reason for the increase in protein is cycling, walking and long walks in the fresh air, skiing.
• Influence on the prostate - rectal digital examination, massage, TRUS, biopsy, colonoscopy in one way or another cause an increase in antigen volume.
• Age - the PSA limit in men aged 50-60 at normal values reaches 6.5 ng / ml.

But basically, high levels of prostatantigen are associated with inflammatory processes affecting the prostate gland and organs of the genitourinary system. PSA levels in acute prostatitis can increase to 20 ng / ml.

Due to the significant influence of external independent factors, after the first tests that showed a large amount of antigen, a second study is prescribed. The urologist will take into account the age and health of the patient. All this makes it possible to get a general idea of the violations and make an accurate diagnosis.

Is it enough to take a PSA test to diagnose prostatitis

World practice in the treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland proves the effectiveness of early diagnosis by the level of antigen in the blood. European standards provide for a PSA3 study - a technique that takes into account the ratio of total and free antigen. The effectiveness of studies using a detailed blood test has been proven.

The value of the ratio of free and total PSA in prostatitis lies in the ability to identify and differentiate any diseases: adenoma, prostate cancer. The maximum values are 20-40 ng/ml. With prostatitis, the indicators are lower and, in the main, in the absence of complications, do not increase above 10 ng / ml.

A blood test for prostate-specific antigen is prescribed for suspected prostatitis. High numbers prove the presence of an inflammatory process, but the PSA test itself cannot fully reveal prostatitis. To clarify the catalyst for violations, additional diagnostic methods are required.

With an exacerbation of prostatitis, PSA can increase and reach unfavorable values, but, as a rule, increased numbers decrease on their own after inflammation is eliminated. If, with prolonged drug therapy, the indicators change slightly, cancer is diagnosed.

International studies of the effect of prostatitis on PSA indicate that a slight and constant increase in units is observed in the chronic form of disorders, and a rapid increase in indicators in acute disease.

How to pass PSA correctly - preparation

The test results can be affected by external factors and physical influences. Before conducting a diagnosis, it is important to properly prepare for a blood test, including:

• It is better to get to the clinic where laboratory diagnostics of prostatitis will take place, for blood sampling it is better to get there by transport, it is strictly forbidden to ride a bicycle a few days before the test.
• Rectal examination or finger massage significantly affects the results of the biochemical composition of the blood. After carrying out any of the diagnostic methods listed above, it takes time for the indicators to return to normal.
• Sexual relations are prohibited at least a few days before blood sampling.
• Locked includes alcohol and smoking.

The urologist will decipher the results, taking into account various related factors: the age and health of the patient. In some cases, several repeated analyzes may be required.

The existing dynamics of protein increase indicates cancer, especially if growth is observed against the background of ongoing drug therapy. High numbers indicate the need for immediate surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Dynamics of the decrease shows that the prescribed course of medicines had a positive effect and the inflammatory process recedes.

- a relatively small price for the early diagnosis of prostatitis and cancer!

Can a dog be raised with prostatitis

What is PSA? Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a special protein that is formed in the male body exclusively by the tissues of the prostate gland, which performs the function of dissolving sperm at the time of ejaculation. The accumulation of PSA in prostatitis in the blood of a male directly reflects his age and prostate volume. That is, the larger the size of the prostate gland, the higher the degree of PSA. Therefore, it is very important for any man to periodically undergo a PSA examination to determine its amount in the body.

Increased PSA density usually indicates dangerous diseases of the prostate gland. Causes of the presented pathology:

• malignant neoplasm, i.e. cancer;
• prostatitis adenoma;
• the process of inflammation that develops in the prostate;
• heart attack or coronary disease of the gland.

Elevated PSA index is not always caused by prostate diseases. In certain situations, this symptom is not a disease. An increase in PSA is observed in such cases:

• prostate massage course;
• ejaculation;
• carrying out the procedure of ultrasound diagnostics of male organs;
• prostate biopsy;
• surgical intervention.

In such situations, PSA may increase. Therefore, before passing this study, such points should be taken into account. After all, the level of PSA in the blood will be atypical.

A specialist prescribes a blood test for the amount of prostate-specific antigen in such cases:

• checking the effectiveness of ongoing cancer therapy;
• to exclude a malignant tumor, a test for prostate cancer is taken;
• due to radical therapy of a patient diagnosed with prostate cancer;
• For prevention purposes, men aged 40 and over.

Analysis of the material for PSA gives a 100% error-free result. Therefore, it is possible to identify the inflammatory process of the prostate and more serious diseases quite quickly, in the early stages of development.

How to decipher the normal state of the protein in the blood of a man? The following PSA indicators are considered normal, depending on age:

• For young men between 20 and 25 years of age, the result should be no more than 2.5 ng / ml;
• ages 25-45 require a PSA of 3 ng/ml;
• in men from 45 to 65 years old - no more than 3.5 ng / ml;
• older age - the result should not go beyond PSA 4 ng / ml.

That is, if the result of the study is not higher than 4 ng / ml, this is a normal result, which excludes a malignant neoplasm.

Adenoma is an age-related disease in which the prostate gland enlarges. As a result, it ceases to perform its functions qualitatively, which leads to the development of inflammation or infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. Adenoma is not considered a fatal disease, but, nevertheless, significantly impairs the quality of normal life. In order to detect the disease, you should be tested for the level of PSA in the blood. Before the study, doctors do not recommend eating food for 8 hours, as well as refraining from intimacy for 2 weeks. PSA from 20 to 40 ng / ml indicates that the man develops this disease. When this figure is exceeded, the patient is likely to progress malignancy. The PSA level in prostate adenoma needs to be monitored periodically. They should not increase by more than 0.75 ng/ml per year. A more dynamic increase indicates the development of prostate cancer. What does this indicator mean? The PSA level in prostate adenoma helps the specialist prescribe the most effective and safe treatment in each individual case.

Prostatitis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the prostate gland. This disease affects the level of PSA, even if there are no visible changes in the body of a man.Starting effective treatment, the prostate-specific antigen index gradually returns to normal - after about 4 weeks. What does a high PSA level indicate in prostatitis after therapy? An increased rate can only indicate the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, after undergoing treatment for prostatitis, it is required to pass this PSA blood test for acute prostatitis again in a month. The chronic form of prostatitis provides for checking the indicator every three months.

A significant increase in PSA levels indicates that a man has a malignant tumor of the prostate. If the mark reaches more than 8-10 ng / ml, an active inflammatory process occurs. The prostate needs more research. There are cases when the values of PSA in the blood in prostate cancer are too high - 80-100 ng / ml. With this value, prostate cancer is accurately determined, despite the fact that a man may feel quite well. If an increase in prostate-specific antigen is observed more than 100 ng / ml, an effective potent therapy is urgently required.

How to reduce this indicator with folk remedies? You can lower your PSA levels on your own, without the use of medications. To do this, you should eat foods that help relieve the inflammatory process in the prostate gland, namely:

It will also be useful for men to use a variety of dietary supplements. Their advantage is the complete absence of contraindications and side effects.

What should a man do with an elevated PSA? If a man has a large amount of this protein as a result of an analysis for the level of PSA in the blood, additional studies are required to detect cancers and inflammatory processes. In order to reduce the level of protein, you should take the following medications:

That is, it is not necessary to use drugs to lower PSA. It is enough just to normalize the work of the cardiovascular system. You can also reduce PSA, which was found along with prostate diseases, in the following ways:

• cryotherapy;
• thermotherapy;
• microwave treatment;
• laser coagulation;
• urethral resection.

These methods of influencing the prostate gland contribute to the removal of a malignant tumor and the elimination of the inflammatory process through the urethra.

In order to maintain a normal PSA level, that is, not to exceed 4 ng / ml, preventive measures are required. They should be aimed at eliminating a possible inflammatory process and prostate enlargement. To do this, follow these rules:

You should also not forget about observing the daily routine, which will ensure a high-quality distribution of activity during the day and good rest.

Prostate specific antigen or PSA protein is produced by the tissues of the prostate gland and is necessary for semen liquefaction. Since malignant cells produce more of this protein, it is called a tumor marker for prostate cancer. However, any pathological processes in the prostate gland can affect the amount of protein that enters the blood. Therefore, a blood test reveals an increased concentration of PSA in prostate or adenoma.

Normally, the secretory epithelium of the prostate secretes so much protein that its blood level does not exceed 4 ng / ml. However, only with malignant degeneration of cells, PSA production increases. In other cases, the growth of the indicator occurs under the influence of other factors:

The PSA level is designed to detect any abnormalities in the function of the prostate gland. Most men who have elevated protein levels do not have cancer. PSA concentrations increase with prolonged physical exertion, after ejaculation, a recent prostate biopsy or bladder surgery.

Prostate PSA test results are interpreted in a variety of ways. Protein concentration is measured in nanograms per milliliter of blood. Some scientists believe that the minimum threshold should be lowered to 2.5 ng/mL in order to detect more cases of prostatitis and other diseases. However, this may lead to the treatment of cancers that are not clinically relevant.

When diagnosing prostatitis, look at three different types of PSA:

Prostatitis is not cancerous and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. But tracking PSA results helps the doctor adjust the process of treating the inflammatory process.

Total prostate-specific antigen at the level of 4-10 ng/ml may indicate the following diseases:

• prostate cancer (the risk of its diagnosis increases by 25%);
• benign prostatic hyperplasia;
• prostatitis.

This amount of PSA is often referred to as the "grey zone" by diagnosticians, since values exceeding 10.0 ng/ml mean a 67% increased likelihood of an oncological process.

The level of free PSA directly depends on the type of prostate disease and is used for differential diagnosis. When the total PSA level is greater than 4 ng/mL but less than 10 ng/mL, doctors look at the following ratio of protein fractions:

• Reducing free PSA levels increases the risk of prostate cancer, as malignant cells produce more α1-antichymotrypsin, which increases the concentration of the protein in the bound form;
• Elevated free PSA reduces cancer risk but may indicate chronic prostatitis.

Additional indicators for PSA analysis in inflammation of the prostate

Men over the age of 50 are recommended to donate blood for PSA annually. However, to improve the accuracy of the test, experts have introduced indicators that analyze the prostate-specific antigen according to various parameters.

PSA density calculates the level of antigen in relation to the size of the gland, determined during transrectal ultrasound. The low density of the protein indicates that the cause of the increase in its concentration was prostatitis.

PSA Rise Rate is a comparison of protein levels over a period of time, such as a year. It is believed that a rapid increase in PSA concentration indicates the development of acute prostatitis or indicates cancer.

Recent studies have shown that prostatitis can lead to a spike in serum PSA levels. Men whose digital rectal examination does not show signs of an abnormality, but who have a high concentration and a high rate of increase in PSA levels, should be re-tested, despite the absence of symptoms of an inflammatory process.

An increase in PSA levels always means that the work of the main organ of the male reproductive system is disrupted. Fixing sharp jumps in the values of the indicator, doctors advise:

• If there is a significant increase in the level of protein, it is necessary to check for the presence of a genitourinary infection or symptoms of prostatitis;
• If an infection or prostatitis is detected, a PSA test should be repeated after treatment.

Even if prostatitis has not been diagnosed, it is advisable to donate blood for prostate specific antigen a second time. At an elevated level, a prostate biopsy is prescribed in order to exclude or confirm cancer.

There is no direct evidence that prostatitis can lead to prostate cancer. However, histological signs of it are often found in the study of malignant tissues of the prostate. A gland removed due to cancer may show signs of focal inflammation in patients who have not complained of prostatitis symptoms such as pelvic pain and painful urination.

Inflammation is present in benign prostatic hyperplasia because the prostate enlargement causes small tears in the tubules that allow secretions to seep into the tissues and cause prostatitis. Thus, the detection of PSA levels is the first step in the prevention and diagnosis of more serious diseases.

It has been proven that high PSA levels in prostate cancer inhibit tumor development. Also revealed a negative relationship between chronic prostatitis and the likelihood of developing cancer. The PSA concentration is usually elevated in patients with chronic prostatitis.

This inflammatory process stimulates the flow of blood saturated with immunoglobulins (immune cells) to the prostate gland. It is these antibodies that are able to destroy the first malignant cells in the prostate and inhibit tumor growth.

After the age of 40, any symptoms of prostatitis, such as pain in the lower back, groin, sacrum, painful urination and ejaculation, bleeding from the urethra with semen and urine, are grounds for examination for infections and cancer. Chronic prostatitis can develop against the background of benign and malignant neoplasms.

Acute inflammation of the prostate and cancer usually cause a significant excess of the indicator. Chronic inflammation is characterized by a slight increase in PSA levels. In this case, taking antibiotics reduces the protein concentration. However, its drop to 5 nl / ml does not always indicate cancer, and doctors recommend taking the test six months later.

The PSA level significantly decreases after prostatectomy to 0.2-0.3 nl / ml, and its subsequent increase indicates a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, requiring further examination and treatment.

The goal of modern medicine is not only to cure patients of various pathologies, but also to prevent the onset of the disease at the initial stages, when therapy can still give positive results.Preventive measures are especially necessary when the body is prone to oncopathologies, since the diagnosis of the disease in the later stages often ends tragically.

PSA blood test is a simple procedure recommended for all patients with prostate diseases

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men. Lack of diagnosis and therapy in the early stages is a fairly common phenomenon, since this disease at the beginning of its development is not accompanied by special symptoms. The study of blood parameters for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important diagnostic measure that helps to identify pathological changes in the prostate.

PSA is a peptide protein synthesized in the male body by prostate cells. It belongs to the components of seminal fluid and reduces the viscosity of sperm. If this does not happen, fertilization does not happen, because the movement of spermatozoa is difficult. The prostate-specific antigen is the most important substance necessary for conception to take place.

PSA protein is one of the factors that ensure the free movement of spermatozoa

PSA values are necessary to detect benign hyperplasia, prostatitis and cancer.

A general PSA blood test for prostatitis is often characterized by a slight increase in indicators. In malignant pathology, the level of values exceeds the permissible values by several times. Deviations in the indicators are associated with the excessive release of this substance in various disorders that develop in the prostate, so the PSA test, which must be taken for prostatitis, will be considered correct if there are no injuries, even minor ones.

The PSA norm (ng / ml) depends on a number of factors, which include age and some other features. So, in young men, the values \u200b\u200bshould not exceed 1.5. In adulthood (from 50 years old), the norm is 3.5, in the elderly - 6.5.

Only a doctor should draw conclusions about the results of the analysis, correlating them with other information about the patient

The levels of indicators increase significantly in the following cases:

PSA level in uncomplicated prostatitis is about 7 ng/ml.

A blood test for prostatitis will be informative only if properly prepared. If the basic recommendations of the doctor are violated, most often the study of the level of antigen in the blood will lead to overestimated results, which will lead to the need for further diagnosis. How to donate blood for PSA?

Abstaining from sexual intercourse is a necessary condition in preparation for analysis

The amount of antigen is directly related to stimulation of the prostate. Changes in indicators are observed after massage, cycling or ejaculation. That is why when donating blood for prostatitis, you should refrain from sexual activity for a week. Two days is the minimum period of sexual rest required to obtain the correct result.

If a man underwent gland stimulation the day before, cystoscopic studies, prostate massage courses, the analysis should be taken in two weeks.

Such a period is necessary to normalize the level of antigen in the blood. After a biopsy, a general PSA blood test, prescribed for prostatitis, should be performed in a month. The norm of the frequency of the study when monitoring the results of treatment is once every three months.

Alcohol consumption can lead to falsely high PSA results

In addition to sexual rest, before donating blood, you should reduce the consumption of heavy foods, remove fried and fatty foods from the menu, and give up alcohol. Smoking should be avoided two hours before the test. The study of the level of antigen in the blood is carried out on an empty stomach, but drinking water is allowed. It is advisable to avoid stress and physical activity for a week.

After donating blood, sexual rest can be interrupted, unless the doctor has recommended otherwise. If the man has previously had surgery to remove the gland, the normal result should be 0. If other values are determined, the presence of a metastatic process should be suspected, requiring immediate diagnosis.

The doctor should pay special attention to the PSA level in patients after prostatectomy

Incorrect values

A blood test for PSA may show false results in the following cases:

• trauma in the perineum with damage to the prostate epithelium;
• chronic prostatitis, accompanied by a prolonged inflammatory process with cell death;
• benign gland hyperplasia in middle-aged men (values slightly increased);
• impaired microcirculation in the gland, which leads to tissue death as a result of oxygen deficiency, vitamins and trace elements;

Violation of microcirculation occurs in the smallest vessels of the circulatory system - arterioles and venules

If there was no sexual rest before the test, you should warn the doctor about this. In such a situation, studies, including a complete blood count prescribed for prostatitis, should be postponed for some time. With long-term use of certain drugs, prostate antigen may increase. This is especially true for drugs containing reductase inhibitors prescribed for the treatment of prostate adenoma.

For a correct interpretation of the PSA level, the patient must warn the doctor about the medications he is taking

Additional information

There are special situations when analysis by urologists is not recommended. These include:

• food poisoning, intestinal infection, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and lack of appetite;
• temperature increase over 37 degrees Celsius;
• viral infection, bronchitis.

Exacerbation of the chronic form of prostatitis is not a contraindication for the study.

All of the above limitations should be taken into account, especially for private laboratories, which often conduct tests, despite the well-being of patients.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the patient is prescribed additional examinations

Today, there are cases of diagnosing malignant pathology of the prostate, in which PSA values are within the normal range, which indicates the need for a set of measures to detect cancer. Diagnosis should include ultrasound (ultrasound), computed tomography (CT), biopsy, transrectal examination, changes in PSA values.

If the level of values \u200b\u200bis exceeded by 0.74 ng / ml during the year, pathological changes in the prostate should be suspected. A neoplasm in the gland is often accompanied by leukocytosis and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), since tumors can cause inflammation, to which the immune system reacts, so a general blood test is also necessary.

If prostate cancer is suspected, a detailed antigen test is prescribed, in which special attention should be paid to the proportion of PSA in relation to the substance associated with antichymotrypsin. If an increase in both values is detected, there is a possibility of a malignant tumor.

If a malignant pathology is suspected, a biopsy of the prostate gland is prescribed to take material for a cytological examination

It is necessary to study the density of the PSA, which takes into account the size of the gland, as determined by ultrasound. A sign of the pathological process is an increase in the density of the antigen. A biopsy is prescribed after detecting high PSA levels and an increase in the volume of the gland.

Many men who have an increase in PSA in their analyzes are interested in how to reduce their values. Rates decrease naturally as prostate disease is cured. There are other ways, which include:

Improving the quality of nutrition and eliminating canned food, smoked meats, fatty meat, margarine from the diet. The menu should contain vegetables, berries, fish dishes, white meat, a lot of greens. Such restrictions significantly reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Food with a high content of easily digestible fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants should be preferred

The recommended intake of pumpkin seeds is up to 20 seeds per day

Identification of increased PSA values is not always a sign of prostate pathologies.

Only a set of diagnostic measures helps to identify disorders that occur in the tissues of the prostate gland. An important point before taking an antigen test is to follow all the recommendations of the urologist.

You will learn more about the PSA test in the following video: