Advertisement

Can low PSA level cause problems?

Dr Rajesh Ahlawat
Chairman
Division of Urology and Renal Transplantation
Medanta Kidney and Urology Institute
Medanta, the Medicity

Q: My 66 years old father got his prostate specific antigen (PSA) test done. The result came 0.010 ng/ml, which was below the normal range (0.22-6.16ng/ml). Last year, his result was 0.02 ng/ml. He is a diabetic but it is very much under control. He also has the problem of burning feet (which has increased now) and constipation. He has tried isabgol but it doesn't help him much. Is the lower PSA a cause of worry?

A:Very low or zero PSA is usually seen only after Prostate gland has been removed completely as after surgical radical prostatectomy for cancer, or after castration leading to atrophy of prostate. If your father has not undergone such surgery then most common cause of such low PSA could be a lab error and a repeat test would prove it. You may put your anxiety to rest since there is no known disease condition causing a low PSA level.