Prostate PSA Levels and What it Means to You

Prostate PSA levels are what doctors look at when testing you for prostatitis or prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a substance produced by the prostate gland, which itself produces the semen that carries sperm during ejaculation. When doctors examine you, they typically search for prostate PSA levels less than four ng/mL since that is the level most men have in their bodies. Levels above four can potentially mean you are at risk for prostate cancer, although men with prostate cancer can have any PSA level. Estimates show that men with a PSA level below four have a 15 percent chance of having cancer, men with a PSA level from 4 to 10 have a 25 percent chance, while men who have an elevated PSA level of more than 10 have a 67 percent chance of having prostate cancer.

Researchers are discussing whether to lower the “normal” prostate PSA levels to 2.5 or 3 since there is a 15 percent chance a level of 4 could indicate prostate cancer. Younger men who have a 2.5 level should cause concern, some researchers say, because younger men have smaller prostates. Men usually have their PSA levels tested yearly starting at age 50, although men with a family history of prostate cancer, and/or African American men, are advised to get tested at 40.

A PSA level test is conducted by drawing blood from the arm. If your doctor is concerned with your prostate PSA levels, he or she will follow the test with a biopsy. Be sure to let your physician know if you are taking any finasteride or dutasteride since these drugs can affect your PSA levels by lowering it by half of its actual number.