Hormone panel
PSA
Also called Prostate-specific antigen · measured in ng/mL
What it measures
A protein produced by the prostate, measured in blood.
Why it is tracked
Monitored where age-appropriate before and during testosterone therapy. Finasteride roughly halves PSA readings, which must be accounted for when interpreting later results.
What a provider considers
- Baseline established before therapy where indicated
- Affected by finasteride, recent ejaculation, cycling and prostatitis
- A rise warrants evaluation, not automatic discontinuation
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and a single result rarely means much on its own. Interpretation depends on your symptoms, your other markers and the trend over time — which is what your provider reviews.