PSA level 7.75

[ketherin]

I've just had a health check at Phyathai Hospital at Sri Racha, and my PSA level is very high 7.75.....over 4 is a concern.

I've got a couple of signs that I could have prostrate problems, going to the loo a number of times during the night, weak stream etc.

My question is has anyone had a prostrate problem and who do you recommend, which Dr and which hospital.

Although the healthcare is very good in these Thai hospitals they can be in a hurry to operate!

I dont have any health insurance, if its really serious I'll go back home asap.

Thanks for your help

[Sheryl]

First of all, relax -- it is quite possible you simply have benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), especially if you are over say 50 years. Or you may have an inflammation of the prostate. Either of these would cause that sort of PSA elevation. Cancer needs to be considered, of course, but it is by no means the only possible cause of this.

The following two urologists have treated many TV members and are highly recommended:

- Dr. Viroj at Bumrungrad

- Dr. Thanoo at Samitivej

Check the Bumrungrad and Samitivej websites for details on their hours etc.

[ketherin]

Sheryl.

Thank you for your very considerate remarks, and sound advice......I'll defiantly see one of these 2 doctor's asap.

Again Thank you..

[californiabeachboy]

Just to add my personal experience, I recently had a PSA of 5.3 (slightly elevated for my age of 63) and my doctor ordered a "free psa" test, which is apparently a better test to distinguish prostate cancer from BPH (but notwithstanding the name, it is not free).

I do not know if it is available in Thailand, but maybe something to check into or ask your doctor about.

Good luck.

Edited September 9, 2014 by californiabeachboy

[chakatee]

Check again in a few months, no sex few days prior to next test.

All below double the max range (4) not worry too fast.

As you describe going to loo often and weak stream chances are that you, maybe due to BPH, just have some infection which hiked up the PSA level.

If later on surgery would be necessary, go to a place where they can do laser surgery, much less complications.

[JAS21]

Another Dr recommendation for you ...........

I went to see Dr Nantawat Siritanan at Mongkutwattana Hospital (on 21st Aug) .... Just past Big C on Chaengwattana Road (2ish Kms before Immigration). My prostrate is enlarged and had been giving me a bit of a problem over the previously few days... maybe bike riding caused it.

He massaged it (some on here may like that) and then I gave a sample. Diagnosis Prostatitis. He gave me Harnal ocas to try. Fixed the problem in a few days but gave me chest pain so I stopped after one week. The massage and then sample is to see if you have an infection, but he just suspected prostatitis. Prostatitis has so far not returned.

He wanted me to try the alpha blocker again and also a 5-alpha blocker (or something like that) ... alpha blocker relaxes the muscles and the other reduces testosterone to the prostrate and causes it to shrink... takes a longtime though. I'm going to watch and wait ...and see him again in 6 months unless I have a problem before then. My PSA is fine, I know that my prostrate is somewhat enlarges as I had a abdomen CT scan a couple of months ago. Getting old is a sod but the option is worse! Leave pussy alone for a few days before your next PSA test.

300 Baht doctor fee. Apparently chest pain is not that common with Harnal ... apparently I was his first case with that side effect.

[Sheryl]

Harnal is used for Benign prostate hyopertrophy )BPH). It is not used for, and will not treat, prostatitis.

[JAS21]

Harnal is used for Benign prostate hyopertrophy )BPH). It is not used for, and will not treat, prostatitis.

Thanks Sheryl ... must have been my mis-understanding ... whatever it seems to be okay for now. Prostrate is big though so suppose I'll have to do something in the future. They didn't find any infection in the sample so might have been the bike riding. I'm keeping off the bike now.

Edited September 9, 2014 by JAS21

[Sheryl]

Probably BPH, very common in older men. Which is why Harnal was prescribed.

[The Deerhunter]

Even an infection like the flu can give you a high PSA temporarilly. (1) Have another test in 30 days and make sure you still have a high number. Prostate cancer or high PSA is one of the most over-diagnosed & over-treated conditions you can have. (2) If it gets serious and they are talking about surgery, investigate the Cyber knife procedure available in Kuala Lumpur. There are many options for Prostate c treatment and too many of them will rob you of your sex life & doing nothing may rob you of your life. A high percentage of men over 70, if they died for any reason at all and were biopsed for prostate cancer after death many would be found to have Prostate C and never knew it and never died of it. Slow moving PC is unlikely to kill you. Aggressive PC will kill you. But you need expert advice before making such important decisions. Be Pro-active & follow Sheryl's advice

Edited September 27, 2014 by The Deerhunter

[cheeryble]

I read that PSA level is pretty well related to the size (meaning volume) of the prostate.

So if you have prostate dimensions enlarged just 50% by measure you must cube that (3.375) and expect to have a PSA level over three times normal.

Double the dimensions of the prostate and the PSA can be expected 8x normal.

I mention this is it doesn't seem to be well known.

[JAS21]

cheeryble, on 27 Sept 2014 - 22:57, said:

I read that PSA level is pretty well related to the size (meaning volume) of the prostate.

So if you have prostate dimensions enlarged just 50% by measure you must cube that (3.375) and expect to have a PSA level over three times normal.

Double the dimensions of the prostate and the PSA can be expected 8x normal.

I mention this is it doesn't seem to be well known.

Hum ... I had a recent CT Scan and they measured mine at 4*4*5 (cm) which is quite big and a doctor 'during a very recent digital finger exam' said yes it's big but smooth... BUT my PSA is around 1.6 and has been for a few years now ... so don't believe everything you read.

[moe666]

Two years ago blood test preformed PSA 10 did my research and above 10 good chance of cancer. I started taking 1mg of finisteride to block DHT. liquid zinc to block amrotese which will lower testosterone conversion to estrogen and started using my testosterone replacement therapy a bit more regularly. I went back to the states 3 months later and had follow up blood test PSA down to 2,75, estrogen levels normal and testosterone levels normal. I also take a saw palmetto product that contains lycopene, stinging nettles and several other prostate support minerals and herbs. My dr. at that physical and also the physical this year was very pleased with my results. My Psa was 2.50 this year. My DR. just said keep doing what you are doing it is working.

[Aforek]

Hum ... I had a recent CT Scan and they measured mine at 4*4*5 (cm) which is quite big and a doctor 'during a very recent digital finger exam' said yes it's big but smooth... BUT my PSA is around 1.6 and has been for a few years now ... so don't believe everything you read.

PSA level is not always the best clue: there are people who have cancer with less than 4

4 years ago, I had about 5.5 PSA , it came from a BPH; one day, I had a PSA of 8, my doctor asked for a biopsy ( because the prostate was smooth, he thougt no cancer ) : result : no cancer, but big prostate, may be high PSA level because of intense sexual relationships the month before

before leaving for Thailand, I was operated to reduce the prostate, and now, after 3 years and a half, I have 2.5 PSA

So, don't worry too much, 7.75 is much but doesn't prove you have cancer: but see a doctor, maybe you have a BPH

If you have BPH, you have to go to toilet ( urinate ) 10 minutes or less after drinking, 10 - 15 times a day, because the prostate puts pressure on the bladder, it's a real handicap

Edited September 28, 2014 by Aforek

[cheeryble]

My DR. just said keep doing what you are doing it is working.

To be fair Moe your doctor should have said "just keep doing what you are doing it MAY be related to the reduction in PSA.

The fact-Nazi in me also wonders why a low PSA'a good outcome. Is he suggesting you rid yourself of cancer?

(I get it it's nice to have a low PSA :-))

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app