Get a PSA test and check an elevated PSA level

Your prostate is a gland you normally barely notice, until questions come up. A PSA test gives you a concrete reference point about your prostate health, without having to go anywhere first.

So what is a PSA value exactly? PSA is a protein your prostate produces that ends up in your blood in small amounts. Its level can say something about what is happening in and around your prostate.

This test can be useful for men who want a bit more grip on their prostate health. Think of men who notice symptoms when urinating, who have prostate issues in the family, or who are simply curious about their value.

Has a doctor measured your PSA before and do you want to follow that result? Then a repeat measurement can help you see a trend over time rather than a single number.

This test measures one substance in your blood:

• PSA (prostate-specific antigen): a protein made by your prostate that is used as a marker for your prostate health.

But what are PSA values exactly? They are the measured amounts of this protein in your blood, usually expressed in nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml).

Your PSA value can give an impression of what is going on around your prostate. An elevated PSA level can have many different causes and, on its own, does not mean something serious is wrong.

Besides a benign enlargement or inflammation, something everyday can also push the value up temporarily, such as recent cycling or ejaculation shortly before the draw. So it is one piece of information that says the most in the right context.

This test requires a small blood draw at a certified sample point. In the Netherlands you can choose from 700+ locations.

After ordering, you pick a location near you and schedule a moment that suits you. The draw itself usually takes only a few minutes, and you do not need a referral from your GP.

A PSA test can be valuable at different moments, for example:

• when you have symptoms while urinating, such as going more often or a weaker stream
• when you want to keep following an earlier result over time
• when prostate issues run in your family
• when you simply want a better picture of your prostate health

If your PSA value is elevated, that is mainly a reason to look further together with a doctor, and not a reason to panic.

Your result shows your PSA value together with a reference range and a short explanation. What counts as usual varies by laboratory and depends, among other things, on your age.

If you are searching for a specific number, such as a PSA value of 12, it helps to know that a single result says little without context. Factors like your age, earlier measurements and any symptoms all play a role. The doctor helps you place your value in the right perspective.

For a PSA test you usually do not need to fast. It is sensible, though, to avoid activities in the days before the draw that can temporarily affect your value, such as intense cycling or ejaculation shortly beforehand.

Unsure about the timing? Then schedule the draw at a calm moment. That way you get a measurement that fits your normal situation as closely as possible.

Your result is usually available online within a few working days. Each value is shown clearly with a reference range and an explanation, so you understand what you see.

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