Why Test?
There are several reasons that symptoms such as hair loss, erectile dysfunction, waking in the night and needing to urinate or unexplained muscle loss or might be experienced, so understanding your hormone levels and PSA levels can help you have informed discussions with your doctor.
What is PSA?
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced in the prostate - all males produce this and it's normal to have some PSA in your blood however higher levels of PSA in blood can be a sign of prostate cancer.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced in the male testicles and is associated with sex drive and plays a vital role in the production of sperm. It can also affect red blood cell production and can affect mood.
BioSURE Prostate Health (PSA) Test
It's important to know the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in your blood becuase PSA screening may help you detect prostate cancer early.
What does it mean if my result is negative?
A negative PSA test does not rule out the possibility of prostate cancer, so you should speak to your doctor immediately if you have any relevant symptoms such as back pain, erectile dysfunction, difficulty starting urinating, poor or intermittent urine flow, dribbling after urinating, urinating more at night, blood in your urine or semen and/or pain during urination or erection.
What does it mean if my result is positive?
A positive PSA test does not mean that you definitely have prostate cancer, but you should seek an urgent medical review if you do receive a positive test, for a full assessment of your prostate and overall health.
Treatment for prostate cancer
Some prostate cancers are slow growing and do not spread, some do not even need treatment. If treatment is required, then earlier diagnosis gives more treatment options, better health outcomes and is more likely to be cured.
Regular testing
Some men like to test regularly every year or so if they know they have an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Can I reduce my risk of prostate cancer?
There are simple lifestyle changes you can make to decrease your risk of prostate cancer. Lifestyle choices play the largest role in affecting PSA levels:
- maintain a healthy weight
- diet plan
- exercise plan - increase your levels of excerise
BioSURE Testosterone Self Test
Understanding the levels of male hormones in your blood can help you to understand if they may be contributing to a change in your sex drive, low energy levels or unexplained muscle loss.
What are the symptoms to look out for?
You may want to consider testing for testosterone levels if you notice any unusual symptoms including:
- hair loss
- fatigue/tiredness
- decreased libido (sex drive)
- weight loss
- erectile dysfunction
- acne, especially if you are under 40
What are the symptoms of low testosterone levels?
- low sex drive (libido)
- fatigue
- weight gain
- low mood and/or low self-esteem
- decrease in body hair growth
How can I increase my testosterone levels?
By measuring your level of testosterone, you can try to increase your testosterone naturally or through diet or lifestyle changes.
Regular testing
If you are taking Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), you can use this test to monitor your testosterone levels and check they remain within the normal range.