A quick look at the test kits
Click on the name to jump to that section of the article.
- Best overall: LetsGetChecked
- Best on a budget: Allergy Test
- Best for free shipping: Pinnacle BioLabs
- Best for easy-to-read reports: imaware
- Best in-person testing option: QuestDirect
Prostate cancer is the
Genetics and age can play critical roles in determining the likelihood of prostate cancer. If you have relatives on your maternal or paternal side of your family with prostate cancer, you’re at an increased risk. According to the
Prostate cancer typically has a
What are PSA tests?
A first step in testing for prostate cancer is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA is a protein made by the prostate, the small gland underneath the bladder.
In some cases, an elevated PSA level can be a sign of prostate cancer. However, not all elevated PSA levels is a sign of prostate cancer. PSA is also found in enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), infections, and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).
Since PSA is found in the blood, a PSA test is usually taken with a finger prick.
A PSA test will not provide enough information for a diagnosis, but it may help your doctor decide if cancer is likely and what to do next. While PSA tests once required you to be present in a lab or at your doctor’s office, you can now administer a test from your own home.
PSA tests can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatments and monitor progress. The tests could be done to monitor for recurrence of cancer or other conditions.
Types of PSA tests
PSA occurs in two forms within the blood. The first form, complexed PSA, is attached to proteins. The other form, percent-free PSA, floats freely within the bloodstream.
A standard PSA test typically measures total PSA — a combination of attached and unattached PSA. If your PSA test result isn’t normal, some doctors might consider testing different types of PSA to decide if you need a biopsy.
Percent-free PSA test
If your total PSA falls in the borderline range (between 4 and 10 nanograms per milliliter [ng/mL]), your doctor may take a percent-free PSA test. A lower percent-free PSA means that your chance of having prostate cancer is higher.
According to the American Cancer Society, doctors generally advise those with a percent-free PSA of
Complexed PSA test
Unlike the roaming PSA in your blood, complexed PSA are directly attached to proteins. This test can be done in lieu of total PSA, but it isn’t often used.
Other types of tests
Science and testing methodologies are always evolving. Several newer tests combine different types of PSA levels to offer an overall score to predict if a person has cancer.
- Prostate Health Index (PHI). This combines total PSA, percent-free PSA, and proPSA (a premature form of PSA).
- 4kscore Test. This combines total PSA, percent-free PSA, complexed PSA, human kallikrein 2 (hK2), and other factors.
Should you get a PSA test?
Most people with penises will get a PSA test in their lifetime. Depending on your age and risk factors, your doctor may encourage one.
Organizations, like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), have laid out recommendations for those considering a screening.
The USPSTF recommends the following for those who have an average or increased risk of prostate cancer, do not have symptoms of prostate cancer, and have never been diagnosed:
- If you’re 55 to 69 years old, you should make an individual decision whether you want to take a PSA test.
- Before making a decision, you should talk with your doctor about the
benefits and harms of screening for prostate cancer, including the benefits and harm of other tests and treatment. - If you’re age 70 or older, you should not be screened for prostate cancer routinely.
The
- if you have a family history of prostate cancer
- if you’re African American
- if you have other medical conditions that may make it difficult to treat prostate cancer if it’s found
- how you value the potential benefits and harms of screening, diagnosis, and treatment
How we chose PSA test providers
When researching at-home PSA tests, we read online reviews to determine the best tests on the market. We also ensured each test is studied in a
Healthline’s picks for the best at-home PSA tests
| LetsGetChecked PSA Test | QuestDirect PSA Test | Allergy Test Prostate Health Test | Pinnacle BioLabs PSA micro | imaware Prostate Cancer Screening Test | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99 | $69 + $6 fee | $45 | $49.99 | $89 |
| Collection type | self-collected finger-prick blood sample | blood sample collected in-person by a tech | self-collected finger-prick blood sample | self-collected finger-prick blood sample | self-collected finger-prick blood sample |
Best overall
LetsGetChecked
- Price: $99
- Type: self-collection
- Insurance coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
Pros:
- highly rated in customer reviews
- accepts some insurance plans
- access to nurses to discuss your results
Cons:
- slightly more expensive option
- takes up to 5 days to get results
LetsGetChecked has an average 4.4-star rating, with over 9,000 reviews on TrustPilot.
The company offers 38 testing kits and will soon be offering a PSA test. Customers praise the clear instructions, customer care, and quick results.
The LetsGetChecked at-home PSA test will check total and free PSA, as well as calculated PSA ratio.
After activating the kit, customers collect a blood sample via finger prick and ship the sample in the mail. LetsGetChecked gives you confidential results within 2 to 5 days and provides 24/7 access to nurses who can explain the results.
Best on a budget
Allergy Test
- Price: $45
- Type: self-collection
- Insurance coverage: no
Pros:
- results shown within an hour
- lowest-cost option
Cons:
- exact PSA number not provided in results
- may need a follow-up test if level is high
The Allergy Testing Group has a 4.39 out of 5-star rating out of over 600 reviews on Trusted Shops.
Their Home Prostate Health Test is an at-home rapid PSA test that delivers your results in less than an hour. The kit comes with a testing device that indicates the amount of PSA in the testing sample. So you don’t have to wait for the sample to be shipped back to a lab to get your results.
Best for free shipping
Pinnacle BioLabs
- Price: $49.99
- Type: self-collection
- Insurance coverage: no
Pros:
- lower-cost option
- free shipping
Cons:
- no insurance coverage for test
The Pinnacle BioLabs HomeLab PSA micro test is an easy to use at-home PSA testing kit. The company also offers screening tests for colon cancer and other colon conditions.
The kit includes resources to gather a finger-prick blood sample and a prepaid shipping envelope to mail the sample to the lab. The report with your results should be emailed to you within 5 days.
Best for easy-to-read reports
imaware
- Price: $89
- Type: self-collection
- Insurance coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
Pros:
- provides easy-to-read report to explain results
- accepts FSA and HSA
Cons:
- some reviewers said it took a long time to get test results
The imaware Prostate Cancer Screening Test allows you to screen for the early stages of prostate cancer with an at-home PSA test. imaware currently offers 16 different testing kits to monitor for different health conditions or nutrient deficiencies.
Your results are provided within a week of taking the test via an easy-to-read report.
The test is rated 4 out of 5 stars from 53 reviews. The reviews that gave the lowest ratings stated it took them a long time to receive their results.
Best in-person testing option
QuestDirect
- Price: $69 (plus a $6 physician fee)
- Type: in-person collection
- Insurance coverage: FSA and HSA accepted
Pros:
- don’t have to administer the test yourself
Cons:
- need to set up an appointment and travel to testing site
- could take up to a week to receive results
Rather than meet with a physician, customers can order a test through the QuestDirect website. Quest Diagnostic partnered with PWN, a national clinician network, to provide physician oversight and evaluation for all kits purchased online. The online e-commerce site allows those seeking answers to bypass the first step of visiting a doctor.
While QuestDirect offers many at-home testing kits, and you can purchase the PSA online, the company currently requires customers to set up an appointment and come into a testing center for an in-person PSA test.
After the PSA screening, results are posted to the MyQuest online portal within a week. In-person tests can be purchased in all states except Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico.
How to choose
When trying to choose the best option, you’ll want to consider how quickly you’d like to receive the results and what style of test you’d like to take.
If you don’t want to administer the test yourself, going to a lab may be your best option. The test by Allergy Test may be best for people looking for fast results, but it may not be the most accurate option since it doesn’t provide the precise number.
Talk with a doctor if you aren’t sure which option is best for you.
What do the results mean?
Your results will share the nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of PSA in your blood. This biomarker has stirred controversy over the years because there is no number considered normal. Typically, a PSA of 4 or higher would show an increased risk of prostate cancer.
According to the organization Zero Cancer, general PSA guidelines are:
- 0 to 2.5 ng/mL is considered safe.
- 2.6 to 4 ng/mL is safe for most, but you should talk with your doctor about other risk factors.
- 4.0 to 10.0 ng/mL is suspicious and might suggest the possibility of prostate cancer. It’s associated with a 25 percent chance of having prostate cancer.
- 10.0 ng/mL and above is dangerous and should be discussed with your doctor immediately. It’s associated with a 50 percent chance of having prostate cancer.
It’s important to understand that this is not always the case. Some people with lower levels of PSA may have prostate cancer, and some people with higher levels of PSA might not have cancer. The PSA test is simply the first marker of prostate enlargement and cell activity.
When to see a doctor
If you have elevated PSA levels, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a doctor. High PSA levels alone aren’t enough to diagnose any one condition because they can be elevated in several prostate conditions. Meeting with a doctor for further testing can help find the cause of the elevated levels and receive early treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How can I prepare for an at-home PSA test?
One important step for an accurate test is to abstain from sexual activity — either masturbation or with a partner — for 48 hours. People with penises cannot ejaculate prior to the test, since the semen released can elevate PSA levels and skew the results.
Most at-home PSA kits recommend that you collect blood samples first thing in the morning, but no fasting is required.
While no food or drinks are proven to skew results, imaware notes that some supplements and medications may raise or lower PSA levels.
You should consult with your doctor if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or taking any of the following medications or supplements:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- statins
- urinary health medications
- carnitine
- fenugreek
- pomegranate
- saw palmetto
- PC-SPES
- lycopene
- phytoestrogens
Heavy exercise can also temporarily increase PSA levels, leading to inaccurate results. According to LetsGetChecked, even seemingly simple activities, like riding a bike, may increase your PSA level. It’s best to refrain from exercise for a few days prior to testing.
Prostate infections, urinary retention, urologic procedures, or recent pelvic injuries can also impact your PSA levels, so it’s best to consult with your doctor if you’re experiencing an infection or taking antibiotics.
Are at-home PSA tests reliable?
At-home PSA tests are sent to CLIA-approved labs, which may be the same ones doctors and government agencies use. That being said, it’s important to know that the PSA test isn’t a perfect method of detecting prostate cancer, but it can be a helpful first step.
Having elevated PSA levels does not always mean cancer. Noncancerous conditions, like benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate, can also raise PSA levels.
After a PSA test, your doctor will usually recommend an ultrasound and a biopsy as your next step if your levels are elevated.
On the contrary, PSA tests can also provide a false sense of safety to some. According to the National Health Service (NHS), the PSA test does not detect all types of cancers. And according to the ACS,
PSA tests are a good starting point for those in higher-risk groups, but they are not a definitive answer. As with any at-home test kit, at-home PSA test results are not comparable to ones from a clinic, hospital, or in-person lab.
What is a normal PSA by age range?
There’s no specific level that classifies as abnormal, but levels can be helpful in determining if a biopsy is needed. According to the National Cancer Institute, most doctors used to consider PSA levels of
Various factors, like medication and physical activity, can cause PSA levels to rise, so your doctor may look at a variety of factors before deciding to perform additional tests.
What is a dangerous PSA level?
The higher your PSA level, the higher the risk for prostate cancer. While PSA levels may fluctuate during your lifetime, a consistent rise in PSA over time can indicate prostate cancer.
If you have a PSA level
If PSA levels rise above 10, there’s a 50 percent chance you have prostate cancer.
Do false negatives and false positives happen?
The PSA test is not a fool-proof method to test for prostate cancer.
When prostate cancer develops, PSA levels often rise about 4.0 ng/mL, but there are exceptions to the rule.
A
The ACS states that about
What can skew a PSA test?
There are
- physical activity
- testosterone
- urinary retention
- urological procedures
- ejaculation
- certain medical conditions, like prostatitis and an enlarged prostate
- older age
Some factors that can lower PSA levels include supplements and medications like:
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
- herbal mixtures
- thiazide diuretics
- aspirin
- cholesterol-lowering drugs
What are the benefits and risks of a PSA test?
One benefit of PSA testing is the increased chance of finding prostate cancer before it spreads.
However, PSA testing is no longer routinely recommended because even in the potential of detecting all prostate cancers, it would not always lead to improved survival.
The CDC states that a false positive can lead to unnecessary worry and tests, like a biopsy, causing potential harm.
There are some cases where the amount of prostate cancer is so minimal that it would never be life threatening.
Some treatment side effects include:
- urinary incontinence
- erectile dysfunction
- bowel problems
If you’re concerned about your treatment plan, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion and weigh the pros and cons of treatment.
How long should you wait between taking PSA tests?
Depending on your age and family history, your doctor will likely recommend how often your PSA levels should be tested. Your PSA results can also factor into how often you need testing.
It’s best to consult with your doctor when considering your next test.
How long does it take to lower PSA levels?
The amount of time it takes to lower PSA levels depends on what’s causing the elevated levels. Mild changes in PSA could return to normal within a few days.
However, if the elevation in PSA is due to prostate cancer, PSA levels will not decrease. For prostate cancer treated with surgery, PSA is expected to be undetectable after 1 month. For prostate cancer treated with radiation, PSA will reach its lowest level after 17 months on the average.
If due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, PSA may not decrease, as prostate size naturally increases with age.
For other conditions, like prostate cancer, it could take 1-2 years after treatment for levels to lower.
Takeaway
PSA tests can be a valuable tool to help you get preliminary answers about your prostate health. While PSA tests can have flaws, the information can still be beneficial for doctors when combined with your medical history and other criteria.
A PSA test can provide comfort while also potentially removing the need for a more invasive biopsy. While the results can help you feel a sense of ease, it’s best to talk with your doctor. False positives and negatives can occur.
Jillian Goltzman is a freelance journalist covering culture, social impact, wellness, and lifestyle. She’s been published in various outlets, including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Fodor’s Travel Guide. Outside of writing, Jillian is a public speaker who loves discussing the power of social media — something she spends too much time on. She enjoys reading, her houseplants, and cuddling with her corgi. Find her work on her website, blog, Twitter, and Instagram.