Do you have to fast before taking a PSA blood test?
Quick Answer
Patients usually do not need to fast before having a prostate-specific antigen blood test, according to MedlinePlus. It is important for patients to inform their doctors of their current medications, as certain medicines may falsely lower the PSA level.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
A PSA test may be performed as a screening tool for prostate cancer or to determine if prostate cancer has returned after treatment is finished, explains MedlinePlus. Doctors may also order a PSA test if a patient's prostate exam is abnormal. Several conditions lead to elevated PSA levels, including enlarged prostates, prostatitis, prostate cancer and urinary tract infections. When determining the significance of an elevated PSA level, a doctor considers factors such as the patient's age, risk factors and PSA level history.
Learn more about Medical Ranges & LevelsRelated Questions
-
Q:
What does a positive CRP blood test result indicate?
A: A positive CRP blood test typically indicates inflammation throughout the body, according to MedlinePlus. When a person is healthy, tests do not find CRP, ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is an alkaline phosphate blood test?
A: An alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, blood test measures the body's level of ALP, which is a protein existing in all body tissues, explains MedlinePlus. The bo... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is HCT in a blood test?
A: HCT in a blood test is hematocrit, the percentage of the blood made up of red blood cells, says MedlinePlus. Normal hematocrit results are 40.7 to 50.3 per... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How do you find out if you have elevated red blood cells?
A: An elevated RBC level is diagnosed with a test called the RBC count, explains MedlinePlus. The test determines how many red blood cells are present in a sa... Full Answer >Filed Under:
