Newcastle Laboratories

PSA, (total) serum

Clinical Background:

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced exclusively by prostatic tissue. PSA's absolute tissue specificity makes it valuable as an important tumour marker for prostatic cancer. P...

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a glycoprotein produced exclusively by prostatic tissue. PSA's absolute tissue specificity makes it valuable as an important tumour marker for prostatic cancer. Prostatic cancer is prevalent in the older male population and is a major cause of death in men. PSA is useful for monitoring therapy, particularly surgical prostatectomy, because complete removal of the prostate gland should result in PSA being undetectable. PSA is not totally prostate specific e.g. small amounts have been found in breast disease and other tissues (e.g. GI tract, salivary glands, pancreas, colon and lymphoma).

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Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL

    0.5 mL

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated: 24 hours
    Separated:
    at +15° to +25°C: 7 days 
    at +2° to +8°C: 30 days

    at -20°C: 3 months

    Unseparated: 24 hours
    Separated:
    at +15° to +25°C: 7 days 
    at +2° to +8°C: 30 days

    at -20°C: 3 months

  • Reference Ranges:

    <50 years   -   >2.5 ug/L

    50 - 59 years  -  >3.0 ug/L

    60 - 69 years   -  >4.0 ug/L

    70 - 79 years  -  >6.5 ug/L

    80 years and over  -  >20 ug/L

    ...

    <50 years   -   >2.5 ug/L

    50 - 59 years  -  >3.0 ug/L

    60 - 69 years   -  >4.0 ug/L

    70 - 79 years  -  >6.5 ug/L

    80 years and over  -  >20 ug/L

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  • Factors Affecting Result:

    Samples for PSA must be drawn prior to digital rectal examination (DRE) and ultrasonography (TRUS). Levels are affected by ejaculation and exercise. Catheterization, urinary tract infection and uri...

    Samples for PSA must be drawn prior to digital rectal examination (DRE) and ultrasonography (TRUS). Levels are affected by ejaculation and exercise. Catheterization, urinary tract infection and urine retention can result in grossly elevated results. Finasteride (5-a reductase inhibitor used in BPH) results in approximately 50% reduction in circulating PSA. Terazosin (a-1 adrenergic antagonist used in LUTS) has no effect

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  • Other Info:

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at Freeman

Turn Around:

Within 2 full access days

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