Psa Blood Test Fasting Or Not

What Makes The Imaware Psa Test Unique

While we use the same total PSA biomarker that other tests use, our at-home imaware⢠PSA test is unique as it can be done in the comfort of your own home. It can also be ordered without a physicianâs note, as imaware⢠has a team of physicians that approve all orders and results for patients. Your PSA test results are delivered to a secure patient portal and are easy to download for your next doctor appointment. Getting a PSA test is easy with imawareâ¢.

If You Are Transgender

If you are a trans man you do not have a prostate and do not need a PSA test.

Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth still have a prostate gland, whether they have had genital gender-affirming surgery or not. This means they may still get prostate cancer, although there is not enough evidence to know how common this is.

If you are a trans woman or non-binary person assigned male at birth and would like to have the PSA test, talk to your GP.

You may worry about talking to your doctor or practice nurse about this, but they are used to talking about many different needs. If you find it difficult to start the conversation, you could try showing them this information. You should talk about any worrying symptoms or concerns with your GP or nurse.

Prostate cancer UK have detailed information about trans women and prostate cancer.

The LGBT Foundation can also give you confidential advice and support. You can also talk to one of our cancer support specialists.

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How Are Researchers Trying To Improve The Psa Test

Scientists are investigating ways to improve the PSA test to give doctors the ability to better distinguish cancerous from benign conditions and slow-growing cancers from fast-growing, potentially lethal cancers. And other potential biomarkers of prostate cancer are being investigated. None of these tests has been proven to decrease the risk of death from prostate cancer. Some of the methods being studied include

Selected References

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Why Do I Need A Psa Test

It’s your choice whether to have a PSA test to screen for cancer. You and your prover may consider your risk for developing a serious cancer that could spread if you don’t catch it early. Your risk for serious prostate cancer may be higher depending on your:

• Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases after age 50.
• Your family health history. If members of your family have had prostate cancer, your risk may be higher.
• Your race. Prostate cancer is more common in African Americans. They also have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer at a younger age and having more serious disease.

You may also have a PSA test if:

• You have symptoms of a prostate condition, such as:
• Painful or frequent urination
• Pelvic and/or back pain

What Are The Risks And Potential Complications Of Psa Testing

The health risks of PSA testing are minimal. The more important concerns with PSA testing lie in interpreting its results. The main concerns and limitations of PSA testing include:

• False-positive results. Because there is no standardized range for normal PSA levels, a mans test result could show elevated PSA levels even though he does not have prostate cancer. False-positive PSA results can cause concern and lead to unnecessary prostate biopsies.

• False-negative results. Some men with prostate exhibit normal levels of prostate-specific antigen in their blood. A normal PSA finding can leave those men with a false sense of security about their health status.

• Test results that lead to overtreatment. A positive PSA result might indicate only that a man has a small malignant tumor within the prostatetumors that tend to grow very slowly and are rarely fatal. Observation is often recommended in this situation. Overtreating smaller, nonaggressive tumors by subjecting men to invasive treatments, such as , with significant potential complications may not prolong their lives and could cause unnecessary harm.

PSA testing is a personal health decision. Talk with your doctor about your risk of prostate cancer and the use of PSA screening as part of your annual physical.

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What Not To Do Before A Psa Test

Chemotherapy Alternatives, Men, Prostate, Testosterone

The prostate-specific antigen test, which is used to assess your risk for prostate cancer, can be stressful for some men.

The results of the test can indicate whether you might need to undergo further testing for prostate cancer. While the PSA test is not a perfect test, it is still considered one of the important tests for men over 50, along with a digital rectal examination of the prostate .

You may wonder, What is PSA and should I get a PSA test? While the experts have different recommendations for the PSA test, they all agree that the PSA test is one important tool you can use to monitor your prostate health. You should get the PSA and DRE regularly, especially if you have a family history of prostate cancer.

That being said, there are few activities that can artificially and temporarily increase your PSA level. It is important to know what not to do before a PSA test so that your results will be as accurate as possible and do not cause you to stress over falsely high numbers. In the 48 hours before your PSA test you should NOT:

• Ride a bike, motorcycle or tractor or anything that puts pressure on the prostate region.
• Participate in vigorous exercise that could jostle the prostate area .
• Have a DRE. Schedule your DRE for after you have the PSA test.

Keep in the mind that if you have a bacterial urinary tract infection, you should postpone your PSA until six weeks after you have completed your antibiotic.

What If The Psa Is Elevated Then What

Men with an elevated PSA do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer. There are other causes for an elevated PSA that include:

• Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia

Dr. David Samadiis the Director of Mens Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. Hes a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadis Guide to Mens Health and Wellness, available online both on and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadis websites at robotic oncolo gy and prostate cancer 911.

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When Is A Psa Test Needed

If you are age 50 to 74, you should discuss the PSA test with your doctor. Ask about the possible risks and benefits.

Men under 50 or over 75 rarely need a PSA test, unless they have a high risk for prostate cancer.

• You are more likely to get prostate cancer if you have a family history of prostate cancer, especially in a close relative such as a parent or sibling.
• Your risks are higher if your relative got prostate cancer before age 60 or died from it before age 75. These early cancers are more likely to grow faster.
• If you have these risks, you may want to ask your doctor about getting the PSA test before age 50.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

04/2014

Caveats To Proper Psa Testing

There are caveats to optimize the value of PSA testing. Understand, however, that these are my personal convictions that resulted from my first-hand experiences in using PSA in thousands of men and over a time period of three decades. Medicine is notorious for controversy and issues that relate to PSA are no exception.

The PSA level in the blood, like many lab tests, has a rhythm based on the time of the day i.e., a diurnal rhythm. Therefore, obtain your PSA blood tests in either the morning or the afternoon, but not both. And, the laboratory testing method and even the lab itself doing the PSA can lead to variability in results, so make sure the same methodology is used e.g. Hybritech, Tosoh, DPC, etc, and return to the same lab facility for all your PSA testing. Following these recommendations will decrease aberrant PSA test results. You may hear your local physician say that all of the above is controversial, but you have nothing to lose and possibly something to gain by avoiding these possibly confounding issues.

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How Long Should I Fast Before Blood Test

You are required to fast for up to 12 hours before going for a blood test. Drinking coffee, tea or even water can affect blood test results.

Avoid Over Fasting, this particularly applies to diabetic individuals and pregnant women. Over fasting can cause dehydration and hypoglycemia in diabetics. Over fasting can also sometimes alter test results.

Make sure to carry some snacks to your physicians office so that you can eat immediately after blood is drawn. Blood glucose for postprandial levels requires you to eat and give a blood sample after an hour of a meal.

Hopefully, this article has given you a good idea about fasting for blood tests and which blood tests require fasting. These questions should additionally be clarified with your physician. This is because your physician will be able to guide you better.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.

What Do The Results Of A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Mean

Blood test reports, including comprehensive metabolic panel test reports, usually provide the following information:

• The name of the blood test or what was measured in your blood.
• The number or measurement of your blood test result.
• The normal measurement range for that test.
• Information that indicates if your result is normal or abnormal, or high or low.

If any single CMP result or a combination of results are not normal, it may indicate but not guarantee many different health conditions, including:

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What Are Some Tips For Fasting Before Psa Blood Testing

Unless specifically requested by a doctor, fasting is typically not required prior to a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test, according to Lab Tests Online. If fasting is required, patients must consume no food or drinks, except water, for a time period prior to the lab test, explains Quest Diagnostics.

Because its easier to draw blood from people who are adequately hydrated, its important to drink plenty of water while fasting prior to a blood test, according to Quest Diagnostics. Patients should continue taking all medications during the fasting period, unless otherwise directed by a doctor. When fasting is required, its best to schedule the blood test first thing in the morning to minimize the amount of time without food. If desired, patients may bring a snack with them to eat after the blood test is complete.

Why Do Some Blood Tests Require Fasting

Certain blood tests require you to fast for 8-12 hours. The reason for asking you to fast is because when eat or drink beverages, certain nutrients, substances or vitamins enter into the bloodstream and can be responsible for giving a wrong result. Fasting before these advised blood tests ensures more accurate results.

Certain blood tests require you to not even drink water. Otherwise, drinking normal water will keep you hydrated and prevent your veins from collapsing, so drawing blood becomes easier since your veins are visible.

Avoid food, alcohol, soda or aerated drinks, tea, coffee, chewing gums and even exercising while fasting.

You need to consult your physician if you can take your regular dose of medications during fasting or adjust the dose timings for the purpose of fasting. This is because certain drugs can alter test results.

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How Is A Psa Test Done

As a simple lab procedure, the PSA test only requires you to provide a blood sample. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to have your blood drawn at your providers office, or you may have to go to a lab covered by your plan. If you have questions, consult your insurer. The phlebotomist will take a small vial of blood from a vein in your arm and send it for lab analysis.

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What Are Psa Tests

Prostate-specific antigen is a protein made by a man’s prostate gland .

PSA tests are used to measure the level of PSA in a man’s blood. A raised level of PSA can be a sign of a prostate condition, such as:

• prostate cancer

Before having a PSA test, men should not have ejaculated during the previous 48 hours.

For the same reason, before having a PSA test men should not have:

• exercised vigorously in the previous 48 hours
• an active urinary infection
• had a prostate biopsy in the previous 6 weeks

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Prostate Cancer: Advancements In Screenings

You may know thatprostate canceris one of the most common cancer types in men. The good news is that thereare many treatment and management options, even if the cancer is caught ata later stage.

What you may not know: There are several options when it comes toprostate cancer screening. After considering multiple factors, your doctor may recommend theprostate-specific antigen test, and/or one of the newer screeningtests that are now available.

Johns Hopkins urologistChristian Pavlovich, M.D., explains what you should know.

What Is Psa Blood Test Preparation And Normal Ranges For Psa Blood Test

Have you ever wondered what the PSA blood test meant after reading your doctors prescription? I am sure there are quite a few who would like to know more about the test especially its name and what it meant. There are some tests that you should definitely opt for once you have crossed 50 years of age, especially men. Cancer, especially prostate cancer has the highest number of cases each year and its been rising steadily each year.

According to the Cancer India Organization, the prostate is among the top 10 areas of cancer in India based on Globocan 2012. It is the second-leading type of cancer among men in cities like Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram, while it is the third leading cause of cancer in Mumbai and Bengaluru. The rates of incidence for this cancer are increasing every day and are projected to double by the year 2020.

The survival rate of patients in India varies with age, though the average 5-year survival rate is 64 percent. For patients below 55 years of age, it is 55 percent, those between 60-69 years is 74 percent and for patients above 70 years it falls down to 52 percent. Prostate cancer that is detected early when it is still in the prostate gland, has better chances of being treated successfully.

Lets understand the PSA test better.

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Ask The Doctor: What Blood Tests Require Fasting

Q.Sometimes my doctor tells me it’s okay to eat before a blood test, and sometimes it isn’t. Why is that?

A. Actually, fasting affects the results of very few blood tests. For example, measurements of kidney, liver, and thyroid function, as well as blood counts, are not influenced by fasting. However, fasting is required before commonly ordered tests for glucose and triglycerides for accurate results.

You should not eat for eight hours before having your blood glucose measured to check for diabetes or to see how well treatments are working. An alternative test for glucose level that does not require fasting measures a substance called hemoglobin A1c, which reflects average blood sugar over the previous three months.

Doctors measure triglycerides after fasting since the concentration of these fatty particles remains elevated in the bloodstream for hours after a meal. The healthy range of triglycerides is less than 150 milligrams per deciliter after a fast of 10 to 12 hours.

Not fasting before a standard lipid panel blood test may also throw off the LDL cholesterol number. But newer methods to measure LDL may mean you dont need to fast. In contrast, eating does not significantly affect measurements of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.

When fasting for blood work, you may still drink water, plain coffee, or black tea. Take your regular medications unless you are specifically told to take them only with food.

What Should I Avoid Before A Psa Test

Can I work out before I take a PSA test?

While physical activity in general might help maintain a normal prostate, avoid heavy exercise directly before your PSA. Avoid exercise for a few days before your PSA test. Even bicycling, riding motorcycles or ATVs, or riding horses have been shown to elevate PSA slightly for a short period of time..

Can I have sex before I take a PSA test?

What about supplements and medications?

The following supplements or medications may have an affect on your PSA levels and should be discussed with your doctor. They may raise or lower your PSA and might not create a reliable test result:

• Chemotherapy drugs
• Carninte, fenugreek, pomegranate, saw palmetto, the herb PC-SPES, lycopene, and phytoestrogens.

Can alcohol or coffee consumption skew results?

Alcohol and caffeinated drinks are not established risk factors for prostate cancer and will not affect PSA levels. However, it is understood that heavy alcohol drinking could cause a small risk of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The bottom line here is that alcohol, caffeine and smoking do not cause false-positive elevations of PSA levels.

I have a urinary infection, is that a problem?

âPlease consult your doctor if you have a urinary tract infection or if you are taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. Please also consult a physician before taking a PSA test if you have recently suffered a pelvic injury or have had prostate or urinary tract surgery.

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