What should you know about PSA and testosterone?

PSA is a protein made by prostate tissue. Testosterone is a hormone made mainly by the testes and involved in sexual function, muscle, bone health and other body processes. A PSA result can be influenced by benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, recent procedures and cancer, so it does not identify one cause by itself.

Testosterone becomes especially relevant when prostate cancer is being assessed or treated with hormone-based treatment. Lower testosterone may change how PSA is interpreted during treatment, while a rising PSA can prompt review of treatment response, symptoms and other findings. The pattern over time is often more useful than a single reading.

Take the report to the clinician who ordered it and ask how the values compare with earlier results, your symptoms and any medicines. Mention urinary symptoms, ejaculation or cycling before testing, prostate procedures, testosterone treatment and medicines that affect hormones. Your clinician may repeat blood tests or arrange examination and imaging such as an MRI Scan when the overall picture warrants it.

Do not start, stop or adjust testosterone or prostate medicines based on a PSA result alone. Keep a record of test dates, treatments and relevant symptoms so changes can be reviewed in sequence.

Arrange timely medical advice for a newly raised PSA, a clear rise from your previous result, or a result that remains abnormal after repeat testing. Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, have severe worsening pelvic pain, fever with urinary symptoms, or heavy blood in the urine.

Ask which result needs follow-up, whether testosterone changes the interpretation, whether the test should be repeated, and what examination or MRI Scan would clarify the next step.