Raised psa, awaiting mri

User

Posted 02 Nov 2026 at 18:31

Good evening all

Just after some advice. Went to see my GP couple of weeks back, was getting up 3-4 times. in night for a wee and wasn't feeling like my bladder was emptying. I'm 57, my father had Prostate cancer in his mid 60's so doc sent me for a blood test and prescribed Tamsulosin.

The Tamsulosin seems to have worked but with a few side effects...Only up about once in the night. However, I went back to see same GP today and my psa is 5.6.

Now, I've been on 0.5mg Dutestaride for hair loss for about a year and he was vague whether or not this figure accounted for this, he also didn't do a physical exam to check if my prostate was enlarged. My last prostate exam about 8 months ago with a different doctor I did have the finger and it was slightly enlarged and psa under 2.5

He's referred me to Urology for an MRI, this could take between 4-6 weeks he reckons. I'm in North Wales, don't know how this compares with elsewhere?

What I'd like to know is, do you think it's worth me going private for the mri? Particularly if the psa is double the result due to being on Dutestaride?

Thanks in advance, Gareth

User

Posted 02 Nov 2026 at 23:14

Hi, Gareth.

Welcome to the forum, mate.

I'm not medically trained, but as you say if you've been on Dustasteride for a year it could suppress your PSA by 50%.

Let's assume that it has, making your PSA about 11, that's a steep rise from 2.5 only 8 months ago. This could be due to prostate cancer. However, it is possible that non cancerous conditions like BPH, Prostatitis or UTIs, could cause such a large spike.

Have you been checked for a UTI?

Personally, I'd be happy to to wait a month or two for an NHS MRI but obviously it's your call whether or not to try and speed things up with a private scan.

Whatever you decide, I hope the results are favourable. Good luck, mate.👍

User

Posted 02 Nov 2026 at 23:37

I agree with Adrian, many possible causes of a high PSA and even if you double it, it is still not extremely high.

I would not be paying for a private MRI. In England prostate cancer treatment is managed reasonably well. I know health is devolved but I assume it is reasonably managed in Wales.

Dave

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User

Posted 02 Nov 2026 at 23:14

Hi, Gareth.

Welcome to the forum, mate.

I'm not medically trained, but as you say if you've been on Dustasteride for a year it could suppress your PSA by 50%.

Have you been checked for a UTI?

Personally, I'd be happy to to wait a month or two for an NHS MRI but obviously it's your call whether or not to try and speed things up with a private scan.

Whatever you decide, I hope the results are favourable. Good luck, mate.👍

User

Posted 02 Nov 2026 at 23:37

I agree with Adrian, many possible causes of a high PSA and even if you double it, it is still not extremely high.

I would not be paying for a private MRI. In England prostate cancer treatment is managed reasonably well. I know health is devolved but I assume it is reasonably managed in Wales.

Dave

User

Posted 04 Nov 2026 at 09:27

Same thing . PSA 5 . Waiting for MRI at glan Clwyd. I'm very anxious

User

Posted 04 Nov 2026 at 21:07

Understandable to be anxious mate, I'm surprisingly calm about it so far, will wait to see what mri shows and take it from there, as others have said, could be multitude of reasons for raised PSA. All the best

User

Posted 04 Nov 2026 at 21:35

Thanks mate . I think ive probably watched too many prostate videos on youtube and scared myself . Best wishes

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