Slow Rising PSA Concern

[Palermitano]

Hey guys just looking for some opinions here. If it matters, I just finished a 60 Day Cycle of MK-677, with modest IGF-1 gains, my test dosage has been increased from .4 to .5, all in all my blood work is pretty good and I feel great. I'm in my late 50's.

My concern is my PSA which is on an upward swing. Now keep in mind I have been struggling with BPH for years, my PSA fluctuates but always stays under 1pt. 2 years ago it went to 1.3, Dr gave me Cipro, it went back down to 0.6.

Im currently taking Ultra Natural Prostate from Life Extension and urine flow, etc much better. Just had a DRE a few months ago and although Dr said my prostate was a bit hard to the touch (should be softer) he said this was most likely because of my chronic BPH inflammation, he said Im fine.

I have read that alcohol can affect PSA and I have been drinking quite a bit these past months, Im going to slow that down and retest. I also made certain not to ejaculate 48 hours before PSA test. No real "spike" here (PSA velocity) but still a slow increase.



My PSA

November of 2015 it was 0.4

March 2016 it was 0.6

August 2016 it was 0.9


Thoughts?

 

[Vince]

I started using Cialis daily, ever since my doctors have told how good my prostate feels. To me your PSA looks good, sex before your PSA test will make it higher. https://www.excelmale.com/forum/sho...ersus-Flomax-in-Men-with-Prostate-Enlargement

 

[Nelson Vergel]

This is a good summary of factors and variations:

"a PSA now stated to be 4.9 ng/ml is most likely the mid point in a range from 3.92% to 5.88 ng/ml. Given this, a second test with a level of 5.2 ng/ml should not necessarily be taken as an increase in levels because it falls within the same range as the first test. The same logic would apply to a second result of 4.2 ng/ml which would not necessarily be a fall in the PSA levels.

OTHER PSA VARIANCES

Apart from these variances, PSA levels can be elevated by a number of causes, from infection to physical activities. For this reason it is very important to try to establish the cause of any elevated PSA level reported. If the PSA is below 20 ng/ml this should be done before having a biopsy.

The most common causes of an elevated PSA are: prostatitis (an infection of the prostate); a bladder infection; or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This last condition affects most men over 50 years of age and is not deadly. Any infection should be treated before a second PSA test is carried out. Acute prostatitis can cause the PSA levels to rise five to seven times the normal level for up to six weeks or even longer. Both prostatitis and bladder infections are notoriously difficult to treat. There are various natural and pharmaceutical products that may reduce the size of a gland and these may reduce the effect of BPH on the PSA level, as will a TURP (Trans Urethral Resection Procedure).

It is recommended that blood for PSA testing should be drawn as early in the day as is convenient and preferably before eating. Constipation and weightlifting are thought to affect PSA levels as does virtually anything that disturbs the prostate gland. Some of the major physical activities which may affect PSA levels and which should be avoided before drawing the blood are:


Sexual activity: Ejaculation can elevate PSA levels for up to 48 hours, or possibly 72 hours, after it has taken place. One of the curious aspects of PSA testing is that it is very rare for this very common cause of variation of PSA levels to be mentioned. If, for example, a test is ordered for cholesterol the doctor will warn their patient that they must fast for 12 hours to ensure the test result is valid. On presenting at the phlebotomist they will be asked if they have eaten anything in the past 12 hours. Yet very few, if any, doctors or phlebotomists will ask men about to have a PSA test about their sexual activities.
DRE (Digital Rectal Examination). Although doctors often carry out the DRE before drawing blood, they should reverse these procedures
Cycling or Motor Cycling: This can increase levels up to three times for up to a week, depending on how strenuous the cycling is. This includes an exercise bicycle
Alcohol and Coffee: Both can irritate the prostate and should be avoided for 48 hours prior to blood being drawn

There are many studies that try to evaluate the effect of activities and physical conditions. One such study in Germany concluded that there were seasonal variances in PSA levels and other studies have pointed to the possibility of certain foods and drinks also affecting results.

PSA levels can also vary significantly for no obvious reason. One published study shows that of the 295 men in the study who had a first reading of less than 10 ng/ml and who then had two PSA readings within 90 days, only 6% of these men had two identical readings; of the remaining men 46% had a increase or the same PSA on second reading, 54% had a decrease. The largest differences were a reduction of 5.3 ng/ml and an increase of 7.5 ng/ml. The differences are summarized in this table:

Percentage of men
Difference compared to first test
64%
Between - 1.0 and + 1.0 ng/ml
18%
Between +/- 1.0 and +/- 2.0 ng/ml
7%
Between +/- 2.0 and +/- 3.0 ng/ml
5%
Greater than +/- 3.0

The study stated that these differences might be the result of the mixed effect of random errors, batch inequalities, so-called "physiologic variations" (which I take to mean that no-one has a clue as to why there was such variance!) and transient effects of concomitant prostatitis. "

http://www.yananow.org/PSA101.shtml

 

[raygo]

Normal PSA readings are anything between 0- 4 ng/ml, you know that, correct? There are sites out there where you can also get age-adjusted values. The PSA readings are expected to trend a little higher as we age. Mine has been jumping from 10.1 to 1.7 for the past 3 years. I've had prostatitis and kidney stones, so I blame that. I'm due for another test this month. I'm happy with anything under 4. You should be too. Supplements help me a great deal, it's really the only thing I can directly correlate to lower PSA values. I'll have to look into the Life Extension product. Low does Cialis is also something I'm thinking about. I refused a biopsy when I got the 10.1 reading, and although I complained of prostatitis symptoms, 2 docs refused to hear me. So I got my own antibiotics and supplements on the net, treated myself, and next test was 1.9. My urologist was really crushed.

 

[OMI100]

Also there is a new test called the 4K test. I posted a copy of my results on the site so all could see what it looks like. My URO wanted to do a biopsy on me and based on my reluctance he mentioned the 4K test. Took some time for results to come back, but based on that I am GTG and no needles in my ass UROs also look at the rate of rise as a sign. Yours is waaaaaaay lower than where I was at I also have PBH and had /have bouts with prostatitis. My TRT DR told me it is reeeeealy hard to treat prostatitis and it could be over 6 months on antibiotics to really kill off the trouble makers. Apparently it takes some time for antibiotics to get into all the parts of the prostate and do its job as the trouble makers will hunker down and hide if you stop taking antibiotics too early. He a is retired A.F. DR and has experience....

 

[raygo]

For prostatitis I've had some luck with a high quality oregano extract supplement. You can look it up, but it's one of recommended natural therapies. I've added it to my weekly vitamin ****tail for up to 2 months. I think I used Gaia brand. I also went to Cleveland for the new urine test that detects prostate cancer. They say that anything less than 35 (on a scale of 4-125) indicates a negative biopsy. So again, I think I scored 31 and they wanted to biopsy me. You can't win with these guys sometimes. All DREs are normal too. I think next time I'm going for an ultrasound. I'll check out the 4K test. Never heard of it.