Lab test · Oncology
Free PSA (Free Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Prostate health & cancer screen
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 2 days
- Home collection
What this test is for
Prostate health & cancer screen
PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. In the blood, some PSA circulates freely and the rest is bound to other proteins. This test measures the free part, and it is read together with total PSA as a ratio. When total PSA is only mildly raised, the free PSA ratio helps your doctor judge whether an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer is the more likely cause, and whether further tests are needed.
Why a doctor may order it
- When a total PSA result is borderline or mildly raised
- To help decide whether a prostate scan or biopsy is needed
- Urinary symptoms such as a weak stream or getting up at night to pass urine
- To add detail when total PSA is being followed over time
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast. Avoid ejaculation and strenuous exercise such as cycling for about two days before the test, as both can raise PSA for a short time. If you have a urine infection, or have recently had a prostate biopsy or other procedure, tell your doctor, as the test may need to be delayed. Also tell your doctor if you take a medicine for an enlarged prostate, as some can lower PSA.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector comes to your home and draws a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, which only takes a few minutes. If your doctor has also asked for total PSA, both can be measured from the same sample.
- Report
- Within 2 days of collection.
What the results can mean
The key result is the proportion of PSA that is free. A lower proportion of free PSA is linked with a higher chance of prostate cancer, while a higher proportion points more towards a harmless enlarged prostate. Neither result is a diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret it with your total PSA, age, examination and symptoms, and may suggest an MRI scan or a referral.
What's included
One test: Free PSA (Free Prostate-Specific Antigen), from one blood sample.
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Questions people ask
What is the difference between total PSA and free PSA?
Total PSA measures all the PSA in the blood. Free PSA measures only the unbound part. Looking at the two together gives your doctor extra information when total PSA is in a borderline zone.
Can I have the free PSA test on its own?
Free PSA is only meaningful alongside total PSA, because the ratio between them is what matters. Your doctor will usually order both.
Does a raised PSA mean I have prostate cancer?
No. PSA can also rise with an enlarged prostate, a prostate or urine infection, recent ejaculation or vigorous exercise. Most men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer.
How much does a Free PSA test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳750, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Free PSA test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Free PSA report take?
The report is usually ready within 2 days of the sample being collected.