Order a PSA test and check your prostate value

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein made by prostate tissue. The amount in your blood can say something about what is happening in your prostate, although an elevated PSA value is never a diagnosis on its own.

A PSA test gives you a snapshot of this marker. Some men choose to have their PSA measured to record a baseline they can compare later readings against. Because testosterone and prostate tissue are linked, this panel also measures your total testosterone for some added hormonal context.

This prostate test may suit men who:

• want to measure and record their PSA value
• have prostate conditions in the family and want a baseline
• have discussed PSA screening with their doctor and want an easy way to arrange it
• want to track their PSA over time alongside their testosterone

You arrange this as a blood test without a referral, so you do not need to see your GP first.

This test measures two biomarkers in your blood:

• PSA (prostate-specific antigen): a protein made by prostate cells. The blood level can be influenced by your age, the size of your prostate, recent physical activity and other factors.
• Total testosterone: the total amount of testosterone in your blood, included for hormonal context alongside your PSA. You can read more about this hormone on the page about total testosterone.

Your PSA value on its own is not diagnostic; it is one piece of information in a larger picture. An elevated PSA value can be linked to benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, recent physical activity or other causes, so it does not automatically fit a single condition.

By tracking your PSA over time, a change can sometimes say more than a single reading. Your total testosterone adds hormonal context. A doctor can best interpret your result together with your symptoms and history.

For this test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point. There are 700+ locations across the Netherlands, which you choose yourself after ordering.

You pick a location and a time that suit you; this is blood testing without a GP, so no referral is needed. The draw is done by trained staff and usually takes only a few minutes. After that, your blood goes to the lab.

A PSA test can be useful if you want to record a PSA value as a starting point, or if you want to compare an earlier value over time. Some men have their PSA measured because the topic is present in their family or circle.

If you want to map your hormones more broadly, take a look at the testosterone panel as well. Because a number of everyday things can temporarily raise your PSA, it helps to keep the preparation below in mind around your appointment.

Your result shows your PSA value with a reference range that is often adjusted for your age, plus your total testosterone. A value within the expected range is generally considered usual, but PSA interpretation is nuanced.

An elevated PSA value can have several causes and on its own does not mean something is wrong. A change compared with an earlier reading can sometimes be more informative than a single number. Only a doctor can properly put your result in context.

For the most representative PSA reading, many people keep the following in mind in the 48 hours before the draw:

• no ejaculation
• no intense cycling
• no firm pressure on or manipulation of the prostate

These can temporarily raise your PSA value. If you take medication, ask your doctor whether it could influence your result.

Your results are available online within a few working days. You log in to your account and view your PSA value and total testosterone with their reference ranges and a clear explanation, whenever it suits you.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.