Prostate specific antigen (PSA), total
- Test Name:
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA), total
- Synonyms:
-
PSA
Total PSA
TPSA
- Patient Instructions:
- Waiting two weeks after DRE to collect blood for PSA is recommended
- Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
1. EDM Base Lab: 5 mL blood - GOLD SST (gel)
2. CGY DSC: 4.5 mL blood - MINT LIHEP PST (gel)
3. NOTE: The preferred tube type at each testing site is acceptable at the alternate site
- Submission Requirements:
- 1 mL serum or lithium heparin plasma
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
• Receipt at testing lab within 3 days - transport at room temperature
• Receipt at testing lab between 3 to 5 days - transport refrigerated
• Receipt at testing lab after 5 days - aliquot, freeze and transport frozen - Frequency of Testing:
-
Daily
- Reference Range:
-
Gender
Age
PSA (ug/L)
Male
< 1 day
No reference interval available
1 day to < 50 years
< 2.6
50 to < 60 years
< 3.6
60 to < 70 years
< 4.6
≥ 70 years
< 6.6
Female
All
No reference interval available
Unknown/X
All
Refer to final report comment
- Comments:
- As per the 2014 Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommendations, the PSA test should not be used for prostate cancer screening of healthy, asymptomatic men. (Bell et al. 2014. CMAJ.186 (16) 1225-1234)
- Last Reviewed:
- 04 May 2023
