What is PSA used for?
The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer. The test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, a small gland that sits below the bladder in males.
What does PSA in medicine mean?
A laboratory test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) found in the blood. PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. The amount of PSA may be higher in men who have prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or infection or inflammation of the prostate.
What is normal PSA free total ratio?
A percent-free PSA above 25% is considered normal. Some doctors recommend that if you have a percent-free PSA of 18% or less you should have a prostate biopsy.
What is serum total PSA?
A total PSA test measures all the PSA, including both the bound and the free-floating antigens. A free PSA test, on the other hand, only measures PSA that is floating freely in the bloodstream and not bound to a different protein.
What are the symptoms of high PSA levels?
Prostate problems can cause PSA levels to be too high, which may result in symptoms such as:
- Frequent urge to urinate.
- Frequent nighttime urination.
- Feeling an urgent need to urinate, but being unable to urinate or only urinating a little.
- Dribbling urine.
- Leaking urine.
- Weak urine stream.
- Unusual color or odor to urine.
How can I reduce my PSA level?
Tips for Naturally Lowering PSA Levels
- If you’ve had your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tested and your numbers were higher, you and your doctor may have discussed ways to lower it.
- Eat more tomatoes.
- Choose healthy protein sources.
- Take vitamin D.
- Drink green tea.
- Exercise.
- Reduce stress.