PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen): Labels and Lab Work
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[Glossary · How doses act in the body]

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

Also called PSA, PSA test · Reviewed

Definition: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate gland and found in the blood. The NCI dictionary says PSA may be higher than normal in men with prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or infection or inflammation of the prostate. It is measured with a simple blood test.

On testosterone labels

Increased PSA was the most common reaction in the AndroGel 1.62% trial: 11.1% vs 0% on placebo. The label counts it as a PSA above 4.0 ng/mL or an average rise of more than 0.75 ng/mL on two measurements. Xyosted reported PSA increased in 12.0% over a year. The labels say to check for prostate cancer before and during treatment.

Finasteride and dutasteride lower it

PSA effect as each label states it
LabelEffect on PSA
Proscar (finasteride 5 mg)About 50% lower within 6 months; a new baseline is set after at least 6 months
Avodart (dutasteride)About 50% lower within 3 to 6 months; a new baseline is set after at least 3 months
Propecia (finasteride 1 mg)Mean PSA fell from 0.7 to 0.5 ng/mL at month 12 in men aged 18 to 41

All three labels say any confirmed rise from the lowest PSA on treatment may signal prostate cancer and is checked, even within the normal range. Missed doses can also affect the result.

Why it matters for your log

A single PSA number means little without the ones before it. Keeping every result with its date, next to when testosterone or finasteride was started, lets a clinician read the trend the labels describe.

Read more on Dose Track: What testosterone level is normal on TRT? · Finasteride guide · Dutasteride guide · Xyosted side effects

General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
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Frequently asked questions

Does testosterone raise PSA?+
It can. In the AndroGel 1.62% trial, increased PSA was reported in 11.1% of men vs 0% on placebo. Xyosted reported 12.0% over a year.
Why does finasteride lower PSA?+
The Proscar and Avodart labels say these medicines cut PSA by about half. A new baseline is set months after starting, and any confirmed rise from the lowest value is checked.

Sources

  1. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: prostate-specific antigen
  2. AndroGel 1.62% (testosterone gel) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  3. Xyosted (testosterone enanthate) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  4. Proscar (finasteride 5 mg) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  5. Avodart (dutasteride) US prescribing information, DailyMed
  6. Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) US prescribing information, DailyMed

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