PSA (PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN) FREE

PSA (PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN) FREE IS A BLOOD TEST THAT MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF UNBOUND OR FREE PSA IN THE BLOODSTREAM. PSA, A PROTEIN PRODUCED BY THE PROSTATE GLAND, CAN CIRCULATE FREELY OR BOUND TO OTHER PROTEINS. BY MEASURING THE FREE PSA LEVEL AND COMPARING IT TO THE TOTAL PSA (WHICH INCLUDES BOTH FREE AND BOUND PSA), HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS CAN GAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF AN ELEVATED PSA. A LOWER PERCENTAGE OF FREE PSA IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF PROSTATE CANCER, BUT FURTHER EVALUATION IS NECESSARY FOR DIAGNOSIS.