If you use labcorp, you can ask for ultra sensitive with serial monitoring. I believe in that case they will use the same machine and keep its calibration consistent. I’m 13 years out and 3 weeks ago had a result of <.006. During my journey I have lost and regained the < symbol. There are fluctuations in all tests. And fwiw, Sloan Kettering only tests to .05, considering anything up to that clinically insignificant. Best of luck!
FrackMe said...
If you use labcorp, you can ask for ultra sensitive with serial monitoring. I believe in that case they will use the same machine and keep its calibration consistent. I’m 13 years out and 3 weeks ago had a result of <.006. During my journey I have lost and regained the < symbol. There are fluctuations in all tests. And fwiw, Sloan Kettering only tests to .05, considering anything up to that clinically insignificant. Best of luck!
Thanks FrackMe....that's very good personal experience info to have. I'll check into the serial monitoring. Would that be something the uro/oncologist would need to request for me?
NolaVette,
After your 13 years DX with PC, and the past 8 as undetectable, you should not worry about a 0.014 reading. I would go so far as to contradict your Doc and say the lab probably did forget the< sign. My City of Hope PSA tests recently instituted their newer ultra sensitive test down with their Lab test lower limits down to <0.008, but they previously were at the time, (2018-2022) at their Lab testing lower level for years at <0.014.
Straight math or MDK math makes it .014 over 4.5 (for average older man), so yours is 99.7 percent lower than average !! To put it another way , if you were average guy with no PC, your tiny PSA value may have dropped about 99.7 % with treatment . That is almost immeasurably low. Most of us would give our right nut to be there some day, I already did, due to Lupron! lol.
Stay strong, your ol PSA is going nowhere but the same value for many years to come, and no spread also.
Keep the Faith Brother.
Wings aka MDK in So Cal
Here is what Dr. "Bing Search says:
https://www.bing.com/chat?q=what+psa+is+technically+undetectable+for+someone+with+a+prostate&sendquery=1&form=hecodx
DX PCa-2012,St 4,GS 3+4,, 4+3=7 w/6 mets PSA=71
Started Lupron
1/13=2.7 2/13=0.7 3/13=0.2 6 /13=0.1
9/ 13=0.7 11/13=1.4 12/13=2.7 6/14=3.8 8/14=5.2
Zytiga 9/14=1.4
11/14, 12/14, 3/15, 6/15, 9/15,12/15, 3/16,6/16, 9/16, 12/16, 3/17, 8/17, 12/17, 4/18, 8/18 =<0.06
12/18, 4/19, 8/19, 12/19, 4/20, 8/20, 1/21, 4/21, 8/21, 12/21, 3/22=<0.014
7/22,9/22,1/23,5/23,8/23,11/23,2/24,8/24=<0.008
After your 13 years DX with PC, and the past 8 as undetectable, you should not worry about a 0.014 reading. I would go so far as to contradict your Doc and say the lab probably did forget the< sign. My City of Hope PSA tests recently instituted their newer ultra sensitive test down with their Lab test lower limits down to <0.008, but they previously were at the time, (2018-2022) at their Lab testing lower level for years at <0.014.
Straight math or MDK math makes it .014 over 4.5 (for average older man), so yours is 99.7 percent lower than average !! To put it another way , if you were average guy with no PC, your tiny PSA value may have dropped about 99.7 % with treatment . That is almost immeasurably low. Most of us would give our right nut to be there some day, I already did, due to Lupron! lol.
Stay strong, your ol PSA is going nowhere but the same value for many years to come, and no spread also.
Keep the Faith Brother.
Wings aka MDK in So Cal
Here is what Dr. "Bing Search says:
https://www.bing.com/chat?q=what+psa+is+technically+undetectable+for+someone+with+a+prostate&sendquery=1&form=hecodx
DX PCa-2012,St 4,GS 3+4,, 4+3=7 w/6 mets PSA=71
Started Lupron
1/13=2.7 2/13=0.7 3/13=0.2 6 /13=0.1
9/ 13=0.7 11/13=1.4 12/13=2.7 6/14=3.8 8/14=5.2
Zytiga 9/14=1.4
11/14, 12/14, 3/15, 6/15, 9/15,12/15, 3/16,6/16, 9/16, 12/16, 3/17, 8/17, 12/17, 4/18, 8/18 =<0.06
12/18, 4/19, 8/19, 12/19, 4/20, 8/20, 1/21, 4/21, 8/21, 12/21, 3/22=<0.014
7/22,9/22,1/23,5/23,8/23,11/23,2/24,8/24=<0.008
Post Edited (Wings of Eagles) : 10/9/2024 5:24:41 PM (GMT-4)
Wings of Eagles said...
NolaVette,
After your 13 years DX with PC, and the past 8 as undetectable, you should not worry about a 0.014 reading. I would go so far as to contradict your Doc and say the lab probably did forget the< sign. My City of Hope PSA tests recently instituted their newer ultra sensitive test down with their Lab test lower limits down to <0.008, but they previously were at the time, (2018-2022) at their Lab testing lower level for years at <0.014.
Straight math or MDK math makes it .014 over 4.5 (for average older man), so yours is 99.7 percent lower than average !! To put it another way , if you were average guy with no PC, your tiny PSA value may have dropped about 99.7 % with treatment . That is almost immeasurably low. Most of us would give our right nut to be there some day, I already did, due to Lupron! lol.
Stay strong, your ol PSA is going nowhere but the same value for many years to come, and no spread also.
Keep the Faith Brother.
Wings aka MDK in So Cal
Here is what Dr. "Bing Search says:
https://www.bing.com/chat?q=what+psa+is+technically+undetectable+for+someone+with+a+prostate&sendquery=1&form=hecodx
Thanks much, Wings of Eagles for the encouraging post. The next test is scheduled for January 7th. Hoping for the best, but will deal with whatever it reveals.
Maybe some one can comment on this, but is 7 years a common time frame post SRT for BCR?
I was told my my RO'S NP, that after 5 years, its pretty unusual, but not unheard of. She went to the point of saying that after 5 years, they would consider a discussion of Supplementing Testosterone. (I am not interested in that, just mentioning it to make a point)
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
Duck2 said...
Maybe some one can comment on this, but is 7 years a common time frame post SRT for BCR?
It was actually 8 full years at <0.01 on every PSA test.
What a great morning it is! I got my test result from yesterday and that big, beautiful LESS THAN sign was back! <0.006. It's been a long 3 months sweating this out since my previous result of 0.014, with no (<) sign. Thanks guys for all the positive words.
VIEW IMAGE
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
VIEW IMAGE
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
That's terrific! LESS THAN is great. Now relax and start the new year positively!
Jim
Forum Moderator-Prostate Cancer. Age 62 (77 now), G 3 + 4 = 7, T1C, PSA 4.2, 2/16 cancerous, 27cc. Brachytherapy 12/9/08. 73 Iodine-125 seeds. Everything continues to function normally. PSA: 6 mo: 1.4, 1 yr: 1.0, 2 yr: .8, 3 yr: .5, 4/5 yr: .2, 6-15 yr: <1. My docs are "delighted"! My journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643&g=1305643#m1
Jim
Forum Moderator-Prostate Cancer. Age 62 (77 now), G 3 + 4 = 7, T1C, PSA 4.2, 2/16 cancerous, 27cc. Brachytherapy 12/9/08. 73 Iodine-125 seeds. Everything continues to function normally. PSA: 6 mo: 1.4, 1 yr: 1.0, 2 yr: .8, 3 yr: .5, 4/5 yr: .2, 6-15 yr: <1. My docs are "delighted"! My journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643&g=1305643#m1
Thanks Jim, and have yourself a Happy New Year too!
That is terrific. Happy New Year
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
Thanks Ken....Happy new year to you and Sarina also!
I think a lot of laboratory techs and medical office staff don’t understand how CRITICAL that little < than sign is to patients.
Congratulations!!!
Part I 2015, Age 54. Age now 64
PSA: 20.8 Bx: All cores G7 (4+3)
RALP & Adjuvant RT
Pathology: G8 (4+4)+5
PSA nadir: 0.1, steady increase
Part II 2019
Lupron/Xtandi, PSA: <0.01
2021: Reclast
2023: Prolia
Congratulations!!!
Part I 2015, Age 54. Age now 64
PSA: 20.8 Bx: All cores G7 (4+3)
RALP & Adjuvant RT
Pathology: G8 (4+4)+5
PSA nadir: 0.1, steady increase
Part II 2019
Lupron/Xtandi, PSA: <0.01
2021: Reclast
2023: Prolia
mattam said...
I think a lot of laboratory techs and medical office staff don’t understand how CRITICAL that little < than sign is to patients.
Congratulations!!!
During my semi-annual primary care doc visit today, I explained to him how I previously had the result without the < sign and then the recent result with it. He didn't understand the significance of that little symbol either. We definitely need to be our own advocates!
Just got the result from my latest PSA test. Another big, beautiful <0.006 reading again! I'm still on the 3 month testing cycle due to that unexpected 0.014 result back in September which is the reason for this thread. This my 2nd undetectable result since the errant, apparently detectable result, which hopefully was just an equipment or reporting anomaly.
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Great news! Sounds like the other result was an aberration so now you're getting the true story.
Jim
Forum Moderator-Prostate Cancer. Age 62 (77 now), G 3 + 4 = 7, T1C, PSA 4.2, 2/16 cancerous, 27cc. Brachytherapy 12/9/08. 73 Iodine-125 seeds. Everything continues to function normally. PSA: 6 mo: 1.4, 1 yr: 1.0, 2 yr: .8, 3 yr: .5, 4/5 yr: .2, 6-15 yr: <1. My docs are "delighted"! My journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643&g=1305643#m1
Jim
Forum Moderator-Prostate Cancer. Age 62 (77 now), G 3 + 4 = 7, T1C, PSA 4.2, 2/16 cancerous, 27cc. Brachytherapy 12/9/08. 73 Iodine-125 seeds. Everything continues to function normally. PSA: 6 mo: 1.4, 1 yr: 1.0, 2 yr: .8, 3 yr: .5, 4/5 yr: .2, 6-15 yr: <1. My docs are "delighted"! My journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1305643&g=1305643#m1
NolaVette,
Congratulations. As if we aren't under enough stress already! An errant PSA result can really wreck your day.
Around three months ago my PSA came back at 0.01, sans the < sign. Four days later at my MO follow up he came into the room with a grin on his face saying I bet you **** your pants when you saw your PSA report. He said don't worry about it, I've had a stream of my guys lose the less than sign the past 3 weeks. The probability of that is zero. You're still undetectable. I then told him I just **** my pants right now. 😃
So, I recently had my quarterly PSA which came back again at 0.01. MO says 80% of his guys are undetectable and they all come back without the < sign. He doesn't know why the lab is reporting it that way now.
So yeah, realizing you've been undetectable all long is big weight lifted. But don't forget, the experience builds character.🙃
Part I 2015, Age 54. Age now 64
PSA: 20.8 Bx: All cores G7 (4+3)
RALP & Adjuvant RT
Pathology: G8 (4+4)+5
PSA nadir: 0.1, steady increase
Part II 2019
Lupron/Xtandi, PSA: <0.01
2021: Reclast
2023: Prolia
Congratulations. As if we aren't under enough stress already! An errant PSA result can really wreck your day.
Around three months ago my PSA came back at 0.01, sans the < sign. Four days later at my MO follow up he came into the room with a grin on his face saying I bet you **** your pants when you saw your PSA report. He said don't worry about it, I've had a stream of my guys lose the less than sign the past 3 weeks. The probability of that is zero. You're still undetectable. I then told him I just **** my pants right now. 😃
So, I recently had my quarterly PSA which came back again at 0.01. MO says 80% of his guys are undetectable and they all come back without the < sign. He doesn't know why the lab is reporting it that way now.
So yeah, realizing you've been undetectable all long is big weight lifted. But don't forget, the experience builds character.🙃
Part I 2015, Age 54. Age now 64
PSA: 20.8 Bx: All cores G7 (4+3)
RALP & Adjuvant RT
Pathology: G8 (4+4)+5
PSA nadir: 0.1, steady increase
Part II 2019
Lupron/Xtandi, PSA: <0.01
2021: Reclast
2023: Prolia
Thanks guys.....I'm hoping that < sign remains attached to my results from here on in!
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Great news man, what a relief
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
I am not a doctor, just a guy without a prostate
Dx Age 64 Nov 2014, PSA 4.3
BX 3 of 12 cores positive original pathology G6
RALP Jan 6, 2015
Post surgical pathology G7 (3+4), - ECE, - Margins, -LN, -SV
PSA @ 6 weeks 2/15, <02, remained <0.02 until 1/2017, .02, repeat 2/2017, still .02. 5/2017-.033, 8/August 2017- .033 8/17 .046, 3/2018 .060. 6/2018 .068, July 2018 - .08, 8/ 2018, .078, Start ADT+SRT.
Sept 2018 thru May 2022 –PSA = <.05
Decipher test, low risk, .37 score
My story.... tinyurl.com/45w7789x
Every day’s a bonus – Sonny3
Update: After 2 undetectable results (<0.006) in January and April, I just got the latest result this morning which is back up to 0.014. It was LabCorp Ultrasensitive with Serial Monitoring.
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016
Age 54 at dx PSA 7.6
Da Vinci Sept. 6, 2011
Gleason 3+4=7 Pre-op & Post-op Stage T3a
Undetectable PSA until April 2016
April 2016 PSA 0.05
July 13, 2016 PSA 0.1
July 21, 2016-6 month Lupron
Aug. 10, 2016 IMRT begins...33 sessions...66 Gy
Aug. 15, 2016 PSA 0.03
Sept. 19, 2016 <0.01
PSA undetectable since Sept. 2016