The health of the prostate is one of the main concerns in men after 40 years. The measurement of PSA in the blood is a key tool for the early detection of problems such as inflammation, benign growth of the prostate or, in some cases, the prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed in men, according to the european report National profiles of Cancer 2025published by the Ministry of Health. Know your values and understand when reviewing the PSA lets you act on time and take care of how integral the health of men.
- What is the PSA test and why it is important to measure it
- When should review the PSA
- Normal values of PSA
- Common causes of elevated PSA that do not involve a serious illness
- PSA and health prostate
- Other markers key in the male health
- How the analysis is carried out and where to do it
What is the PSA test and why it is important to measure it
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate and is present in the semen. A small fraction is released into the circulatory system, and it is just such a concentration that is measured by a blood test.
Control the PSA is important because their values can increase when there are alterations in the prostate gland and guide the doctor to the completion of additional studies. Thanks to its use, has increased the early detection of prostate problems and has reduced the number of cases that are diagnosed in advanced stages.
If you are looking for a full review of male health, you can consult the Men's Health Testthat includes the PSA together with other markers relevant.
When should review the PSA
- From the 40-45 years if there is family history of prostate cancer (father or brother).
- From the 50 years if there are no symptoms or history.
- Before, if there is urinary symptoms such as urination, weak, urgency, pain or repeated infections.
- At any age, if a doctor requests by clinical suspicion.
In addition, it is worth it to do it once a year within a general check-up.
In the reviews preventive health include other general indicators. If you are interested to know what other values are generally reviewed in a check-up, preventative, you can get more information in our article on the complete analysis: the key values that should be reviewed each year.
Normal values of PSA
The general rule is consider normal a total PSA less than 4 ng/ml. If the concentration is between 4-10 ng/ml, then it is important to calculate the free PSA.
Values may vary according to the age. So a PSA of 4 ng/ml may be considered high for a man of 50 years and be normal in one of 80 years. In addition, the levels of PSA range within the same subject randomly up to 18%, therefore a value insulated, should be always considered in the clinical context of each patient.
Is fundamental to interpret these values together with the clinical history, symptoms and prostate sizeas a PSA within the “normal” range may also require follow-up if it increases rapidly with respect to previous measurements.
Common causes of elevated PSA that do not involve serious illness
A high PSA does not necessarily imply a serious problem. In fact, most of the elevations are due to benign causes, such as:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
Although it is not severe, it can cause difficulty urinating, urination, weak or needing to get up in the night, so it is advisable to review it.
Prostatitis or urinary tract infections:
The inflammation or infection require a medical assessment.
Urinary retention:
When the bladder does not empty well, increases the risk of infections and discomfort continuous, so it is important to identify the cause.
Ejaculation recent:
You can increase the PSA for a few hours or a couple of days.
Intense exercise, especially cycling:
The pressure on the prostate area can elevate it so fleeting.
Manipulation of the prostate (rectal examination, ultrasound):
Any exploration can modify the value in the next days.
Elderly:
Over the years, the prostate produces naturally, something more of a PSA.
Did you know that after bike ride raises the concentration of PSA in the blood?
PSA and health prostate
The PSA is a marker relevant to the monitoring of the prostatebut their interpretation must be global. The combination between total PSA and free PSA provides more information: when the total PSA is between 4 and 10 ng/ml, is to measure free PSA that helps to estimate the probability that the origin is a cause benign.
In addition to the PSA, the health prostate is also evaluated by:
- Urinary symptoms (urinary weak, urgency, get up at night).
- Personal and family history.
- Ultrasound or rectal examination, if deemed necessary by the doctor.
It is important that the men aware of their health and adopt preventive health behaviors. Perform simple checks and periodic allows to detect alterations at the time, avoid complications, and care of integral well-being throughout life.
Other markers key in the male health
The health of the man must be tackled in a comprehensive manner, not only from the prostate. Therefore, it is necessary to make, at least once a year, a study of health to control parameters are equally important.
The Study Health Man of Analyses, in addition to the PSA, includes essential parameters for assessing the overall state like the profile, hematological, lipid, renal, hepatic, and the metabolism of carbohydrate, among others.
These studies allow us to evaluate the organic function in general to detect early alterations of the health.
How the analysis is carried out and where to do it
The measurement of PSA is performed through a blood test is simple, quick, and without special preparation, although it is recommended to avoid ejaculation in the 48 hours prior, rectal examination, and the intense exercise bike.
At Analiza, you can perform the Men's Health Testthat includes the PSA and a wide panel of parameters designed to assess the health of male full form. See the locations where you can perform this advanced analysis, and starts from today to bet on your well-being.
*This article is revised by experts, but not a substitute for a medical evaluation.
