Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced in the prostate gland. The prostate is a gland that men have around the urethra, between the penis and the bladder. PSA sampling can diagnose various prostate conditions.
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced in the prostate gland. It is not produced by any other organs or glands; all prostate-specific antigen in the blood comes from the prostate.
Analysis of PSA in the blood is the most significant method for detecting prostate cancer, as well as for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy for this condition. Prostate-specific antigen tests have been used for the diagnosis and screening of prostate cancer for approximately 30 years and are a well-established clinical blood test.
PSA levels in the blood are elevated in 80% of all patients with prostate cancer. The levels are also elevated in a large proportion of patients with benign prostatic enlargement and prostate infections.
PSA exists primarily in two different forms in the blood, bound or free. By analyzing both types and comparing their ratio, clinicians can better diagnose the cause of the elevation.
It is primarily used to:
Since the levels can be affected by various factors, doctors typically consider other tests and factors, such as digital rectal exams (DRE) and biopsies, before making a diagnosis.
The national care program for prostate cancer specifies age-specific threshold values for PSA. Values above these levels mean that patients should be referred to a urologist.
Age Threshold values for PSA
Under 70 years 3,0 µg/L
70 to 80 years 5,0 µg/L
Over 80 years 7,0 µg/L
The value is expressed in µg/L. It stands for micrograms per liter.
PSA levels in the blood increase in practically all prostate-related conditions.
The risk of prostate cancer increases the higher the PSA level, up to values around 50 µg/L. Before that, the cancer risk is as follows:
| PSA (µg/L) | Percentage with cancer at prostate biopsies |
| 0-1 | 5 % |
| 1-2 | 10 % |
| 2-3 | 15 % |
| 3-4 | 25 % |
| 4-10 | 30 % |
| 10-20 | 60 % |
| 20-30 | 75 % |
| 30-50 | 90 % |
| > 50 | 99 % |
To further differentiate between the various possible causes of the elevated value, one can use an additional blood test, PSA ratio. This compares the ratio between free and bound PSA in the blood.
If the value is below the threshold for your age, the risk of having serious prostate cancer is low.
However, a low value does not completely rule out the risk of cancer, as cancer cells sometimes do not produce unusually high amounts of PSA protein in the blood.
Socialstyrelsen has assessed that the benefits of general PSA testing do not outweigh the disadvantages from a population perspective. However, as an individual, you may weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks differently.
For example, it may be relevant to undergo a test if you have a family history of prostate cancer. Conversely, if you are very young and have no direct reason to worry about prostate cancer, a test may be less relevant.
A PSA test is conducted through a blood sample that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
It is generally recommended for men to have a PSA test once a year starting from the age of 50. If there is a higher risk of prostate cancer, such as a family history, testing may begin earlier or be done more frequently based on a doctor’s recommendation.
Vital laboratory package Man 50+ includes 36 values and provides you with a comprehensive overview of your health. Vital’s doctors have developed this laboratory package based on some of the most important values that affect age-related lifestyle diseases, as well as values that are interesting to monitor specifically for you as a man over 50 years old.
A PSA blood test gives you the opportunity to gain insight into your own PSA level. It can provide you with the information to detect and treat prostate cancer at an early stage. We offer this especially to men over 40.
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Article updated:
4 March 2025