Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Here’s what it reflects — and what to do about it.
Longetic pulls together every lab and record you’ve had, follows how Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) changes over time, and explains what’s shifting — so you walk into your next appointment prepared, with reminders for retests along the way.
What is Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)?
A protein made by the prostate gland whose blood level is used to help screen for and monitor prostate conditions in men.
PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells, so it applies to men. A higher level can be associated with prostate cancer, but it can also rise with a benign enlarged prostate, prostate infection, recent ejaculation or exercise, or a recent procedure, so it is not a diagnosis on its own. There is no single cutoff that means cancer; PSA is also widely used to watch for recurrence after prostate cancer treatment. Because screening carries a real chance of false positives and overtreatment, U.S. guidance frames PSA screening as an individual decision to discuss with a doctor (for men 55-69), and it is not recommended at age 70 and older.
What to know about Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Understanding Total PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) means knowing what it reflects, what tends to move it, and the signs that suggest it’s worth a closer look — so you can bring the right questions to your next appointment.
This glossary entry is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Read our Medical Disclaimer.
References
About our sources
Official sources
Government health agencies, national institutes, and intergovernmental bodies whose guidelines carry regulatory or policy weight.
Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.
