Can PSA vary in one day?

I just left my urologist who told me something I have never heard or read before. That PSA levels can rise or fall as much as 2 points in one day. That a person’s PSA may be at one level in the morning, and have a different level when tested in the afternoon. Has anyone heard of this before?

My PSA rose to 4.5, up from 1.3 in just six months. about four years ago my PSA rose to 4.7 from 2.0 in one year. A biopsy was done and found clear. This time the urologist has put me on two weeks of antibiotics and will test again a week after that. I’m a bit confused. Go I have a serious issue or not? Did I get my blood test at the wrong time of day? Do I have a virus of cancer? This is nerve racking!

Hello Ben,

A fluctuation in your PSA level could be the result of an infection, and that is why your urologist is putting you on a coarse of antibiotics. I would imagine it's possible that one day your PSA is normal (2.0), and then you contract an infection the next day that causes your PSA to jump a point or two (4.7). Bad luck. Your urologist is making sure that's all it is before he schedules you for another biopsy. There are several members of our group that have had similar circumstances with their PSA tests, and I believe that in at least one case it was just an infection. I personally have a friend that posted a (1.8) jump in his PSA, and it too was apparently caused by an infection. However his urologist suggested monitoring his PSA level every 6 months as a precaution.

I certainly know how scary this all is, but you are doing the right thing by persistant PSA testing. It may very well turn out that you are like my friend, and he is quite relieved to know he's PCa free. But by the slightest of chances if it is an early diagnosed PCa then the cure rate is optimum.

I pray that you are just suffering a minor infection, and you won't ever have to join or group, but we are always here for support. Good luck to you.

Glen

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Diagnosed at age 60

Ben,

I'm new to this board and haven't started my own thread yet, but came across this old question and wanted to answer it.

YES, POSITIVELY, PSA can very in one day according to several citations I've found in various literature. Some of the things besides infection that are cited with the potential to increase PSA are sexual activity, prostate massage, and, believe it or not, a DRE. Next time I have mine checked (I still have my prostate at present, and hope to keep it) I'm going to have the blood work done FIRST! The literature also says that you can expect your PSA to be elevate for six weeks after getting a biopsy.

Finally, not all PSA tests are created equal. There are apparantly different methods that can yield different results. You'll have the best chance of getting a good track on your PSA if you go to the same clinic and make sure they are using the same lab, with the same method, each time.

ScoutToo

Ben:

When you get your next PSA might ask for a "free" PSA also.  A low reading could indicate that further investigation should be done.

Good luck.

Dutch