PSA Tests and other important stuff

Hey Guys:
Just got my yearly PSA test from doctor. It was 2.68 which is within the normal range for my age. However, PSA test are not agreed on by most doctors as a precursor for Prostate Cancer. I did a lot of reading this weekend on Enlarged Prostate and hope that someone in the over 60K membership that we have will benefit from some important research.
(1) I like most guys had an urge to try to increase my testosterone lever since I’m a gym rat and like the friendship there with other guys pumping iron. I started using Tribulus and a little L-Arginine. Neither was immediately alarming. Testosterone produces dihydrotestosterone—DHT (The stuff that causes male pattern baldness) The A5 enzyme in the DHT causes the baldness and also the enlargement of the prostate. It takes a lot of Tribulus to increase the testosterone but every little bit adds to the DHT.
(2) To combat the DHT men should begin to use some Saw Palmetto. A lot of studies don’t agree on the Saw Palmetto’s help on combating the DHT. Another herb and well touted by physicians and with better effects on the DHT is Beta-Sitostroel. It is used to maintain good cholesterol and another benefit is maintaining a good level of sugar in the blood.
(3) Don’t wait until the Prostate begins to enlarge before starting to watch it and ward off any cancer with leads to surgery, incontinence, etc. I think men should start the exam for enlarged prostate around 35 every year even though studies say that signs begin to appear around age 40. almost 90% of men will have prostate disease by age 80. An alarming number and all will have it should they live long enough
(4) Finally, the body under most condition produces enough testostrone without adding enhancers—so leave them alone.
We as guys have an aversion to being examined especially the digital exam, but for the love of humanity get it done—It could save your life.
Steve

PS—I started the Beta-Sistostroel today and will see if the PSA maintains the healty level but hopefully it will decrease a bit over the next year.

Steve,

How old are you?
Did you have your testosterone tested?
I was having baldness issues and started to take Propecia and my doc thinks it helps to keep my PSA low. Mine is .78 at last check. The ingredients in Propecia are the same used to treat the prostate, finesteride. Although in a much smaller dose.

Anyway best of luck.

789

Hey 789:

I don’t have a problem yet, but was wanting guys to start early to check their PSA and not to put it off. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” Ben Franklin. Same when dealing with colonostomy. Thanks for the concern Oh yes, I’m 59. Steve

I agree completely with your suggestion of having annual PSA tests, certainly at age 40; 35 or younger if there is a history in your family of prostate cancer. The test is not perfect but it is a good indicator of general prostate health and is our best available diagnostic tool, short of biopsy.

For me my PSA levels have been historically low, but one test came back alarmingly high and so because of the quick test results I was able to seek treatment and within 30 days I was back to normal. And I didnt have any symptoms EXCEPT for the high PSA test. And then the doc did the digital exam and found prostatitis. If I hadnt had the PSA who knows how long it would have been before it was found and treated.

789

PSA is elevated if you have prostatitis. A lot of older men have chronic, low-grade prostatitis without knowing it (due to urine retention because of enlarge prostate), and hence elevated PSA.