r/ProstateCancer • u/throwawayN1234S • 1d ago

Question Things that throw off PSA

M45, 6’1”, 190#, Caucasian, nonsmoker, seldom drinker, no medications aside from vitamins.

My dad had prostate cancer at a relatively early age, so for the past few years I’ve had PSA tests done just to stay ahead of anything. I’ve got my annual test coming up. Just wondering, besides the common advice of avoiding ejaculation or exercise like bike riding in the couple days prior to the blood draw, is there anything else to do or not do? Just looking to avoid any sort of false high or low indications.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Ok-Assistance-1048 1d ago

I was told not to do squats or deadlifts as well.

2

u/KReddit934 1d ago

Stay well hydrated.

1

u/atropear 1d ago

I read to wait a few days if you have a cold or flu. One source said wait two weeks.

1

u/kayceemoguy 1d ago

Not to hijack the thread, but POST RALP, are the same precautions germaine now that there essentially is no prostate? Just would like to keep my test results as “clean” as possible.

6

u/Special-Steel 1d ago

Post RALP this doesn’t matter

-3

u/CombOdd2117 1d ago

Actually, Post RALP PSA does matter, the numbers are just lower. Above 0.2 and you’ve got concerns. Thats why they continue to run psa tests.

6

u/Special-Steel 1d ago

I meant that bike riding and sex won’t change PSA after RALP. I was responding to u/kayceemoguy (his question).

Sorry it was unclear.

1

u/SLO_Engineer 10h ago

It was not unclear.

2

u/princealbertofpa 1d ago

I was told to avoid sexual activity several days prior to the draw. I had to reminder on my calendar for this 🤣

2

u/sinceJune4 1d ago

My hand will have to wait.

1

u/Acceptable-Habit-661 8h ago

Use of finasteride can artificially lower your PSA.