Helm Health

other · PSA

Prostate-Specific Antigen

A protein made by the prostate, used as a screening and monitoring marker in people with a prostate. Levels rise with age and benign prostate enlargement as well as other conditions, so a single value is interpreted in context and often with age-specific cutoffs.

This page is general wellness education, not medical advice. Your own lab’s reference range and your clinician’s interpretation always take precedence.

Typical reference range

GroupGeneral range
MenCommonly < 4 ng/mL; age-specific cutoffs are often used

Units: ng/mL. Ranges vary by lab and assay — read yours against the range printed on your own report.

What high Prostate-Specific Antigen can mean

  • Benign prostate enlargement (BPH)
  • Prostatitis / infection
  • Recent ejaculation or exam
  • Aging
  • Prostate cancer

What low Prostate-Specific Antigen can mean

  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (e.g. finasteride)
  • Generally not concerning when low

Related markers

Sources