timing of post surgery PSA

Dr Walsh's book says not to get retested for 3 months, and some of you here have been tested at 6 weeks.  Why?  Dr Walsh says that that is way too soon.

The standard is not clear. For me the drop to <0.1 was a six week deal, but I am not the norm. Because I had advanced disease I was tested three weeks out, then 5 then 6 and have had 7 tests since my surgery in February. Some I requested some scheduled. I was able to follow my drop from 13.7 pre-operative to undetectable. At my peak I was originally tested at 19.8. The next week it was 18.7, then the 13.7 just before biopsy. These are vast ranges and I wanted to know more about my physiological behavior. So I asked for the tests. And to be honest, I don't think Walsh is wrong and he is quoting the standard. My Oncologist does not agree with Walsh on this one. He tested right out of the gate. He stated that a drop of 50% per day was what he expected. But I have seen other posters here not drop that quickly, including myself. Here's how those tests went:

October 3, 2006: 19.8
October 10, 2006: 18.7
Biopsy December 12 (3+4=7 4 of 8 positive up to 80%)
Surgery February 16,2007
March 12, 2007: 0.9
March 18, 2007: 0.1
March 25, 2007: <0.1
Tests in April, May, July, and September have all been <0.1

Looking at my histogram, I was ably to determine that I was a 30% per drop after surgery. I am also lucky to have my advanced disease get down to zeros. Walsh was right but so was my oncologist. Six weeks is enough time and 3 months will be accurate.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

In the context of "residual PSA" the usual theory is that there should be little chance of it still being there after 6 weeks.

Scardino indicates that Residual PSA is flushed from the bloodstream in a few weeks.

Les & DB,

I do not know why it was at six weeks other then that was the standard for my urologist. My PSA was undetectable at six weeks and I was released to do any physical activity I wanted at that point.

Tamu

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Diagnosed 7/6/06, 1 of 10 core samples, 40%,Stage T1c, Gleason 3+3

Thanks all, I still have much to learn.  My brain is getting tired, but I will not stop till I feel confident that we kinda know what we are facing.  With you all, I know we can do it.