PSA test

Hi AJH it is slightly early but won’t matter.  Any reduction will be good.  Normally 6 to 8 weeks to allow the body to get rid of the PSA protein.  Another test in 3 months if possible.

After my op it was 10 weeks before my first psa test     I believe it takes a while to settle down.    I would wait as you might get a reading that panics you as ideally it should be undectable after an op.    Regards Simon 

Thank you,going to keep everything crossed it's ok!

He's had it now,so unfortunately can't do anything. Panic for me has already set in. He says nurse checked with a Dr before doing it but I'm sure drs might not know correct answer as they aren't the expert. The annoying thing is is that when discharged the nurse told him not to get it done before 6 weeks!

It will almost certainly be high, so it won’t mean anything.  Don’t expect zero.  The first test after RP is only a baseline.  Try and get another test in a month.

So annoyed with him as told him not to even ask, but he knows better! Don't think even thought about the extra worry if it comes back high as he had it done too early!

You are both still in shock.  It won’t matter having a PSA test now, the next one will be important.

Men process things differently and him being ‘matter of fact’ about it may only be an outward reaction.  We all live with some anxiety over our next blood test.  It does get slightly easier but after 9 years I am still anxious about my bloods in 2 weeks time.  His oncologist won’t take any notice of this reading I am sure, just contact your CNS and get another test booked.

hi.   Yeah I’m the same.   I’ve had 3 undectables and got another in 2 weeks.   I have a mental countdown every 3 months.   Like David said there’s a chance it will be high as it will not have cleared out of his bloodstream yet and as I’m sure others will agree you don’t need to have unnecessary worry.   Especially after surgery when other things are going on.      You need to put your foot down !!!     Haha.    Best wishes Simon 

We all understand how stressful it is for you both but please do not fall out over it as a couple of days is not in the least important. Maybe the gp practice are aware of this so decided to save a return journey.

I can only relate my own experience.

Creating friction will not help either of you.

Try to concentrate on helping him on the long recovery from what is very debilitating surgery. Take care of each other and try to see the positives. You are in it together. I think my wife has found it harder than me.

It is impossible to relax about the tests, even months and years later.

Bear in mind that the hospital will be laid back about whatever the numbers come back as.

Nothing is done in a hurry, even if they rise every time, they say not to worry but that's a difficult ask.

Ultrasensitive tests can measure down to 0.001 but for some reason hospitals have decided only to give a reading below 0.015 expressed as <0.015 or sometimes higher a number maybe 0.025 which they count as undetectable. 

They only take an interest when there have been at least three rises or reached around 0.2 and I think that depends on the hospital too.

Is he on any ADT? If so then that keeps PSA down too whilst on it.