PSA laboratory test

The prostate makes PSA, and a small amount normally enters the bloodstream. A laboratory measures the concentration in a blood sample. A result outside the expected range does not identify one specific cause: benign enlargement, inflammation, infection, recent prostate procedures, and prostate cancer can all affect PSA. One result is therefore interpreted alongside symptoms, examination findings, age, medicines, and earlier readings. The pattern over time may add useful information.

Follow the laboratory or clinician instructions before the sample. Tell them about urinary infection symptoms, prostate treatment, medicines, and recent procedures so the timing can be judged appropriately. Depending on the result, the clinician may repeat PSA, examine the prostate, investigate infection, or recommend imaging. An MRI scan can sometimes help assess an area of concern, but a scan is interpreted with the rest of your assessment. See the PSA Test page for test-specific information.

Contact a clinician about a result they describe as abnormal or about symptoms such as difficulty passing urine, blood in urine, persistent pelvic discomfort, or recurrent urinary infection. Seek urgent care if urine will not pass, or if urinary symptoms occur with fever, shaking chills, vomiting, or marked weakness. Urgent symptoms require assessment even if a PSA test is already planned.

Ask why the test was requested, whether anything could have affected the sample, how your result compares with previous results, and what follow-up is recommended. Clarify when to repeat testing and what an MRI or other examination would add.