Understanding High PSA Levels: Causes, Risk Factors & What They Mean

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein that is made by the cells in the prostate gland. First used in 1986, the PSA test measures the level of the antigen in a man's blood. A PSA level of 4 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) or below is considered normal. There are many reasons for a high PSA score.

Age

• It is normal for PSA levels to be slightly higher as men age. A reading of 2 ng/mL might be considered normal for a 60-year-old man, but worrisome in a 40-year-old.

Benign Conditions

• Two non-life threatening conditions are frequent causes of elevated PSA scores: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is an enlarged prostate, and prostatitis which is inflammation of the prostate.

Infection

• Urinary tract infections can elevate a PSA score. Urinary tract infections are easily detectable with a urine test and highly treatable with antibiotics.

Cancer

• An increased PSA could be an indication of prostate cancer. A biopsy (removal of prostate tissue) is necessary in order to make a cancer diagnosis. The advent of the PSA has greatly increased early detection of prostate cancer which has exponentially increased survival rates.

Warning

• The PSA test is notoriously sensitive. If your first test comes back with a high PSA score, it is advisable to have a second test done.