QuestionQUESTION: Last week I saw my urologist for something that just needed some bacotracin--nothing to be concerned about. I asked if I can have a PSA test done since, about 3 months ago, I had a urinary tract infection and took Cipro. The infection cleared pretty quickly. Last week I have a urine sample--all normal. Now, when blood was taken during my same visit a week ago, my pas was 3.9. He gave me the prostate exam and said all was normal. But my Free PSA test came back at 5, when it should be about 25. My urologist is suspect and wants me to have the Free PSA test taken again in about a month. I am very concerned. I am a 49 year old white mail, no history of prostate cancer in the family (other cancers yes--pancreatic). Can you provide some feedback. Can this be a false positive reading? I hope I'm not on the way out.
Thank you,
Robert
ANSWER: Hi, Robert, I'd be glad and try and answer your question. I understand your concern about the low Free PSA result. Normally, when the Free PSA is low, there is an increased chance of prostate cancer. But not always!! Your total PSA of 3.9 is normal, maybe borderline high, and some doctors may not have even ordered the Free PSA with a 3.9 total PSA. But your prostate exam was normal and that's a good thing. I absolutely agree with your urologist. Have the Free PSA repeated in a month and then go from there. Until then, don't worry!! Even if the Free PSA stayed the same, that doesn't mean you have prostate cancer. Your doctor may do an ultrasound and/or biopsy to rule out cancer. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Samantha
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QUESTION: Thank you very much for your response. Very helpful. Don't know why my PSA is a 3.9 when I used to get PSA reading of about 2. Every since I had the UTI, My PSA has seem to have up and stayed at about the 3.6-3.9 level. Maybe I have something called BPH? I appreciate your words of encouragement--maybe I will ask my doctor about an ultrasound regarding my prostate as opposed to a biopsy, at least initially. Are there false positive readings with this kind of test--The Free PSA test? Thank you for your quick response. Robert
AnswerHi again, Robert. A UTI will usually increase your PSA, that's probably why it went up to 3.9. I'm not sure how long it will stay up though. You could have BPH, but that should have (but not always!) been detected by the prostate exam the doctor performed. Your Free PSA could be a false positive, but I still agree that repeating the Free PSA in a month is the way to go. Your urologist has plenty of experience in cases just like yours. If you're still feeling uncertain, it couldn't hurt to check back with your doctor, even just to set your mind at ease. Good luck, Robert!
Samantha
