Quick answer
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test costs ₹900 at Live Line Health Care. Measures prostate specific antigen in blood to help assess the prostate in men. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready within 24 hours. Book home sample collection or visit any of our 45 centres.
Also known as: Prostate Specific Antigen, Total PSA, Serum PSA, PSA Total, Prostate Test, Prostate Blood Test, tPSA
What is the PSA Test?
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate, the small gland below the bladder that helps produce semen. A little PSA normally leaks into the blood, and the amount tends to rise with age and with prostate size. The PSA test measures it. Because many things raise PSA, including an enlarged prostate (BPH), prostate infection or inflammation, a recent urine infection, ejaculation, cycling or a catheter, a raised PSA does not mean cancer, and a normal PSA does not rule it out.
PSA is an aid that a doctor interprets, usually alongside a physical examination, your age, family history and sometimes an MRI. For men without symptoms, testing is a personal choice best discussed with a doctor from about age 50, or from 45 if your father or brother had prostate cancer. Testing can find cancers early, but it can also lead to further tests for slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm. For men already treated for prostate cancer, PSA is the main way to follow response and watch for recurrence.
What it measures: The total amount of prostate specific antigen in serum, reported in ng/mL, including both free and protein-bound PSA.
Parameters included (1)
- Total PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
Why is this test done?
- Discussing prostate checks with a doctor from age 50, or 45 with a family history
- Assessing urinary symptoms such as a weak stream or getting up at night to pass urine
- Following up a prostate that felt abnormal on examination
- Monitoring men under active surveillance for a low-risk prostate cancer
- Following PSA after surgery, radiotherapy or hormone treatment for prostate cancer
When should you get tested?
- A weak or interrupted urine stream, or straining to pass urine
- Waking at night more than once to pass urine, or a sudden urge to go
- A feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis that does not settle
How to prepare for the PSA Test
- 1No fasting is needed.
- 2Avoid ejaculation and vigorous cycling or horse riding for 48 hours before the test, as both can raise PSA for a short time.
- 3If you have had a urine infection, prostatitis, a catheter, a cystoscopy or a prostate biopsy, wait about 6 weeks before testing unless your doctor says otherwise.
- 4Tell the staff if you take finasteride or dutasteride for prostate enlargement or hair loss. These halve the PSA level, so doctors adjust how they read it.
PSA Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Men 40 to 49 | Up to about 2.5 ng/mL |
| Men 50 to 59 | Up to about 3.5 ng/mL |
| Men 60 to 69 | Up to about 4.5 ng/mL |
| Men 70 and above | Up to about 6.5 ng/mL |
| General cut-off used by many labs | 4.0 ng/mL |
Age-related limits vary between guidelines. After prostate removal, PSA should be close to zero, and any rise is reviewed by the treating doctor. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A PSA slightly above the limit for your age is common with an enlarged prostate or inflammation. Doctors usually repeat it after 6 to 8 weeks, under the right conditions, before deciding on further tests.
- A persistently raised PSA may lead to a free PSA test, a prostate MRI or a specialist referral. Only a biopsy can confirm or exclude prostate cancer.
- A rapid rise over successive tests can matter more than a single value, which is why keeping your old reports is useful.
- A normal PSA is reassuring but cannot rule out prostate cancer completely. If you have ongoing symptoms or a strong family history, keep seeing your doctor.
Health packages that include this test
The PSA Test is included in these full body checkups:
Book the PSA Test in your city
Same price at all 45 centres. Choose your city for local centres and timings.
Telangana
PSA Test – FAQs
What is the price of the PSA Test?
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test costs ₹900 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Does a high PSA mean I have prostate cancer?
No. Most men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer. Common causes include an enlarged prostate, infection or inflammation, recent ejaculation and cycling. Your doctor will consider your age, examination findings and repeat results before suggesting any further test, and only a biopsy can confirm cancer.
At what age should a man get a PSA test?
There is no single rule. Many doctors suggest discussing it from about 50, or from 45 for men whose father or brother had prostate cancer. Testing is a personal decision, because it can find harmless cancers as well as serious ones. Talk it through with your doctor first.
Should I avoid sex before a PSA test?
Yes, it is best to avoid ejaculation for 48 hours before the test, because it can raise PSA for a day or two. Vigorous cycling should also be avoided for the same period. This simple step helps avoid an unnecessary repeat test or further investigation.
What is the difference between total PSA and free PSA?
Total PSA counts all PSA in the blood. Free PSA counts the share not attached to proteins. When total PSA is in a grey zone, a lower free share is linked with a higher chance of cancer, while a higher free share points more to enlargement. Free PSA is a separate test.
Can an enlarged prostate raise PSA?
Yes. Benign prostatic enlargement, which is very common after 50, is one of the most frequent reasons for a raised PSA, because a larger gland releases more of it. Medicines such as finasteride shrink the prostate and lower PSA, so tell your doctor if you take them.
Where can I get the PSA Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.