Sudden first-time spike in PSA

[DaveJ]

Hello all,

Was wondering if anyone has experienced a sudden spike in PSA after historically being stable and well within normal limits? Specifically in my case, my PSA has always been in the 0.6 to 0.8 range (including a test as recently as July 30th of this year). Then, my PCP ordered a routine PSA test as part of routine bloodwork in early October (since I just recently turned 50). The results came back at an elevated level of 11.1. I should add that coincidentally I was having some noticeable urinary symptoms around the time of the test (such as mildly painful urination/ejaculation, difficulty urinating, frequent urge to urinate etc.) that have somewhat but not completely subsided over the past couple of weeks. My question is in anyone's experience, does this sound more likely to be from an infection (as opposed to the worst-case scenario) since the PSA rose so quickly over such a short period of time? Note that my PCP seemed inclined to think so and recommended that I just wait to see if the symptoms continue to subside and do another PSA test in 6-8 weeks. Just to be safe, I went ahead and scheduled an appointment with a urologist but was just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Vince Carter]

YOu should just repeat the blood work and ensure that you fast and refrain from any form of sex for 24hrs prior. This is most likely lab error for such a dramatic change in a short period of time.

 

[DaveJ]

YOu should just repeat the blood work and ensure that you fast and refrain from any form of sex for 24hrs prior. This is most likely lab error for such a dramatic change in a short period of time.

Thank you for the response, Vince. I am sincerely hoping that you are right about the lab error. I will definitely redo the labwork.

 

[OMI100]

Did your PCP give you any antibiotics?
Nothing out of the ordinary in your urine analysis?
Kinda sounds like prostatitis:
Prostatitis - Symptoms and causes
If your concerned you can ask for a 4K blood test and or a 3T-MP-MRI of the prostate.
I have some post about my adventures with prostatitis. Search my post.

 

[DaveJ]

Did your PCP give you any antibiotics?
Nothing out of the ordinary in your urine analysis?
Kinda sounds like prostatitis:
Prostatitis - Symptoms and causes
If your concerned you can ask for a 4K blood test and or a 3T-MP-MRI of the prostate.
I have some post about my adventures with prostatitis. Search my post.

Thanks for your reply, Orrin. My PCP did not test for any infection, prescribe any antibiotics or perform a DRE. He was of the mindset of taking a wait-and-see approach. This is my reasoning for going forward with consulting with a urologist. I will definitely take a look at your posts.

 

[captain]

With your symptoms you should have tested for infection. Even if infection is not found they normally run 15-30 days of Bactrim or Ciprofloxacin. Then you retest and see if the PSA comes down. PSA of 11 I think should be taken more seriously.

 

[DaveJ]

With your symptoms you should have tested for infection. Even if infection is not found they normally run 15-30 days of Bactrim or Ciprofloxacin. Then you retest and see if the PSA comes down. PSA of 11 I think should be taken more seriously.

Thank you for your reply, Captain. I completely agree with you and assume that the urologist will perform the appropriate testing.

 

[Nashtide]

Mine went from 0.9 to 4.1. Went to urologist and had a negative dre. He wasn’t concerned. Retested about 2 months later. Both PSA and some advanced PSA test. Both normal. As a matter of fact, the PSA dropped to 0.4. Don’t lose sleep. Just wait awhile and retest .

 

[DaveJ]

Mine went from 0.9 to 4.1. Went to urologist and had a negative dre. He wasn’t concerned. Retested about 2 months later. Both PSA and some advanced PSA test. Both normal. As a matter of fact, the PSA dropped to 0.4. Don’t lose sleep. Just wait awhile and retest .

Thank you for the reply, Nashtide. I am certainly hoping that my case is similar to yours and this test was just an anomaly.