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Inconsistent PSA results post RP

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User
Posted 02 Sep 2026 at 19:36

RP in September 2022. Was being tested on a 12 month cycle. Was undetectable until June 2026 when PSA was detectable at 0.09. Requested and reluctantly given another test in September 2026. Result: PSA undetectable again at <0.04. Looks like the testing was at the same lab.

Clearly I will be seeking another test to calibrate.

Anyone else experienced anything like this? My understanding being that following RP once that PSA is detectable it remains so either stable or on the rise.

 

User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 05:44

Hi, Jim.

It's great news, mate, that your PSA has dropped again to undetectable levels.

The blip to 0.09 could be caused by laboratory error or benign visual tissue ( microscopic amount of healthy tissue left behind producing minute amount of PSA) or more rarely analytical cross-reactivity.This occurs when another completely unrelated protein, antibody, or substance in your blood sample inadvertently binds to the testing agent. The laboratory computer misreads this interaction and flags it as a tiny amount of PSA, resulting in a false-positive bump that disappears by the next blood draw.

As with all PSA tests, an isolated rise is not that important, a trend of elevated test results is much more significant.

Later, today I shall a have pint to celebrate the return of your less than than symbol. Long may your undetectable signs continue.👍

     <<<<<<<<<<<<<  🍻  <<<<<<<<<<<<.

 

Edited by member 03 Sep 2026 at 05:53  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 11:41

COVID can give a significant blip for a month or so afterwards.

Also some COVID jabs were seen to do this.

User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 13:23

I've experienced ups and downs.  My psa was first detectable at 0.06.  The next test went to 0.09.  Then it went down to 0.07.  I've had similar since.  The hospitals are reluctant to give you another test any earlier than normal although I managed to persuade it down to 2 months just lately after a largish jump.  The 2 month one was 0.01 lower which was a bit disappointing as I thought it might go down 0.03 but it did go down.

I've also experienced large deviations when testing at a different hospital..  It's quite worrying when it happens.

I haven't previously heard what Adrian wrote about binding but it's an interesting point.

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User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 05:44

Hi, Jim.

It's great news, mate, that your PSA has dropped again to undetectable levels.

The blip to 0.09 could be caused by laboratory error or benign visual tissue ( microscopic amount of healthy tissue left behind producing minute amount of PSA) or more rarely analytical cross-reactivity.This occurs when another completely unrelated protein, antibody, or substance in your blood sample inadvertently binds to the testing agent. The laboratory computer misreads this interaction and flags it as a tiny amount of PSA, resulting in a false-positive bump that disappears by the next blood draw.

As with all PSA tests, an isolated rise is not that important, a trend of elevated test results is much more significant.

Later, today I shall a have pint to celebrate the return of your less than than symbol. Long may your undetectable signs continue.👍

     <<<<<<<<<<<<<  🍻  <<<<<<<<<<<<.

 

Edited by member 03 Sep 2026 at 05:53  | Reason: Typo

User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 11:41

COVID can give a significant blip for a month or so afterwards.

Also some COVID jabs were seen to do this.

User
Posted 03 Sep 2026 at 13:23

I've experienced ups and downs.  My psa was first detectable at 0.06.  The next test went to 0.09.  Then it went down to 0.07.  I've had similar since.  The hospitals are reluctant to give you another test any earlier than normal although I managed to persuade it down to 2 months just lately after a largish jump.  The 2 month one was 0.01 lower which was a bit disappointing as I thought it might go down 0.03 but it did go down.

I've also experienced large deviations when testing at a different hospital..  It's quite worrying when it happens.

I haven't previously heard what Adrian wrote about binding but it's an interesting point.

 
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