This article will touch on a rather important topic, and it concerns the representatives of the stronger sex. As you can see from the title, the topic of this article is free PSA. The norm, analyzes, various ratios and percentages will be indicated and explained to readers.
The main reasons for the increase in the norm in men will be named. After all, the main one could be cancer. Everyone knows how dangerous this disease is and what it can lead to.
What is PSA
Quite a few men have heard of the concept of PSA. But what it means, almost no one knows. PSA is the so-called prostate specific antigen. In other words, it is a protein substance that is produced by special cells of the male prostate gland. It can be in small amounts in the blood, both in free form (it is she who is being considered), and in bound form. Below we will tell you what is the difference between these important indicators and how exactly they affect the he alth of men.
The difference between free and bound PSA is that free PSA does not bind to proteins. While in the bound there is a connection toalpha 1 - antichymotrypsin. That's the whole difference that exists between these important species.
PSA free is normal for men
As with any substance or antigen, free PSA has a norm. The norm is different for every age. So, according to recent studies, this indicator in men from forty to forty-nine years old should be 0-2.5 ng / ml. PSA is free, the norm for men aged 60 is 0-4.5 ng / ml. What about older people? Free PSA - the norm in men over 60 years old - is in the range of 0-6.5 ng / ml. Exceeding these important numbers is dangerous. That is why it is necessary to undergo an examination and take tests at least once a year. To pass this analysis, you must immediately come to your doctor, who must write out the necessary referral for the patient.
PSA total
In addition to free PSA, there is a general one. It also has a specific rule. So, in men, whose age varies from twenty to twenty-five years, the norm is 2.5 ng / ml. In people who have reached the age of fifty, the norm of the total PSA is 3.5 ng / ml. As in the case of free PSA, this rate should also not be even slightly above the acceptable mark.
So, we have described in detail the ratio of PSA free - PSA total. The norm and specific figures were also named. Next, the process of passing the tests themselves will be considered.
Preparing for PSA tests
It is necessary at least once a year to take tests for free PSA. The norm for men is named in the previoussection. How to prepare for this procedure? There are only a few simple, but at the same time very important rules for preparing for this analysis:
- Blood for analysis is taken on an empty stomach. If the meal did occur, it is necessary that at least six or even seven hours pass after eating.
- If the patient is currently taking any medications, you should immediately notify your doctor about this some time before the test. The fact is that drugs can directly affect the results.
- If procedures such as cystoscopy, catheterization were performed, you must wait at least two weeks. If the patient receives massages, it is necessary to refuse them no later than a week before the test.
That's all the rules that absolutely every patient must unquestioningly follow before taking a PSA test. It is forbidden to neglect them. Otherwise, the results may be completely wrong. The content of this substance is normal or not, as well as what treatment is needed, the attending physician will tell.
What is the free PSA test
The norm for men is named. What is the analysis itself? To complete the picture, an analysis is taken to measure both total PSA and free PSA. The rate of free PSA blood was named above. The norm of the total PSA, as already mentioned, should be in the range of four to ten ng / ml. In addition, it is necessary to repeat once again, it is the doctor who is responsible for examining the results of the tests. The patient during theseit is not worth interfering. It is not uncommon for patients, not understanding anything in various numbers and letters, to raise a panic in vain.
What is this procedure? It is called "Immunochemiluminescent analysis". Due to the long and difficult to pronounce name, the abbreviation "IHLA" is more commonly used. The analysis itself is a simple blood donation. In Russia, there are enough clinics and laboratories where they successfully take and consider this type of research. There are also plenty of doctors. Therefore, do not postpone this important event indefinitely. You need to be sure that your he alth is under control.
Symptoms that give rise to the appointment of these tests
There are several reasons in medicine for prescribing tests to determine the level of PSA. It is they who are guided by the attending physician, examining his patient. So what are these reasons?
- The first reason is the patient's complaint of frequent, painful urination.
- The next reason is the necessary examination during and also after cancer treatment.
- The usual routine examination is also the reason for ordering this simple analysis. In addition, a check-up is recommended by a doctor if there is a high risk of a dangerous disease - prostate cancer.
Next, it's time to consider such a topic as the reasons for the increase in PSA in humans.
Because of what the rate may be increased
Not necessaryto think that a person is not able to influence free PSA, the norm of which can often be exceeded depending on lifestyle. Most often, a violation of the PSA norm accompanies various diseases. Their list is as follows:
- Prostate adenoma.
- Prostatic hypertrophy.
- The worst reason for going over the limit is cancer. The only thing that can please is that thanks to the early determination of the PSA norm, cancer is recognized even at the earliest stages. Which is another confirmation that it is necessary to take all tests for PSA total and free every year, the norm of which should not be exceeded.
- Another reason for an increase in PSA is diseases that are accompanied by various inflammatory processes.
This is the entire list of diseases due to which PSA is free, the norm of which, we repeat, should always be within the specified limits, can be increased.
Next, you need to take a closer look at the relationship between PSA and cancer.
Increased PSA levels in cancer
Percentage of free PSA, PSA norm have been mentioned above. More on how doctors can use PSA to determine if a person has cancer? The question is pretty simple. Normally, when a person does not have oncology, the percentage of PSA is ten percent. If there is still cancer, this percentage goes down.
Another way to tell if you have cancer or not is to check the ratio of so-called free PSA to PSAgeneral. This indicator should be from ten to fifteen percent. In fact, it is a tumor marker. PSA total and free, the norm of which is indicated above, like a litmus test, shows the state of the body as a whole.
False positive
During the receipt of all test results, you can hear such wording as a false positive result. What does this mean? In what cases can such a conclusion appear?
The absence of cancer, as well as the diagnosis of prostatitis or adenoma, are the causes of a false positive result. Another reason for such a conclusion may be a digital rectal detailed examination of the prostate less than 40-48 hours before the actual blood test.
What to do
A false positive is not always good. After all, basically a situation arises when, with a false positive result, cancer is not found, and the PSA level is unstable. What to do in this case? If such a not very good situation arose, then it is necessary to repeat the analysis after three months. Due to the repeated examination, there is a high probability of an accurate diagnosis. Further, the doctor already follows the order that is established in medicine - prescribing treatment and monitoring the patient.
How to lower your PSA
You can lower your PSA level yourself. But do not think that in the case of an increased PSA rate, you can cope with this without the participation of a doctor. Anyway, you need to immediately go to a specialist for the appointment of treatment. As a concomitant treatment, you can trybring your indicators back to normal with he althy foods that you need to consume as often as possible.
Vegetables are the perfect food to lower PSA levels. In addition, the balance of hormones is also brought back to normal with the help of vegetables. But it is worth noting that vegetables should not contain any chemicals or other chemical products. Particularly useful are broccoli and cauliflower - these are the ingredients on our menu that have a positive effect not only on the level of the substance in question, but also on human he alth in general. Tomatoes are also very useful for humans. Moreover, such a product not only has a positive effect on the level of PSA, but also on the condition of the heart muscle. The most interesting thing is that tomatoes are more useful after heat treatment. No matter how, no matter what dish. And all because the content of lycopene in cooked tomatoes increases. But it is he who is the main useful element that is in tomatoes.
It is also necessary every day, but not on an empty stomach, to drink delicious pomegranate juice. A huge number of studies have proven its beneficial effect on absolutely the entire human body. The heart, stomach and other organs improve their work thanks to the daily use of this juice. Further, green tea is very useful. These two products are able to help lower prostate specific agent (PSA) levels well. In addition, green tea helps prevent cancer.
It needs to be said again: don't hope thatBy eating these foods alone, you can lower your PSA without medication or medical attention. Proper nutrition will only help accelerate this decline. And after treatment - to maintain the level of the substance. These products can be consumed in absolutely any form suitable for consumption. Soups, salads - all this can and should be included in your diet. Moreover, the use of these wonderful products is desirable not only for specific people who have already found a very high PSA content, but also for those who are absolutely in good he alth.
Result
In this article, it was maximally told about what is the norm for the content of a prostatic specific agent in the blood, how to take a free PSA test. The agent content rate has also been described in detail. Recall once again the main points of the above.
You need to be examined by your doctor, as well as take all tests for the level of PSA substance in the blood once every year. The level can be an indicator of the presence of diseases such as cancer or prostate adenoma. You must follow all the instructions of your doctor. Follow a strict diet and take all prescribed drugs.
Eating various vegetables, green tea and pomegranate juice also contributes to a faster recovery. Do not self-medicate. This will lead to negative results. By following everything that was described in this article, you can not worry about your he alth.
