Well Man Checkup...Borderline And Elevated Levels

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Me again
Late with my annual blood test.
Borderline PSA - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate- ... -psa-test/
Wants another test in a month.
Because I have had some symptoms - more regular peeing etc also pain in the bum, the latter is lasting longer nowadays.
I decided to accelerate things by asking to speak to a doctor.
OK so complete an "ECON" clunky at best of times....................I am asked to go to speak to a gp yesterday.
Did not get very far although the GP did go through a lot of stuff.
Like no point in rectal DRE exam as this could raise level.
Also saw a program in week were raised PSA can be caused by cycling.................

So just a talk really.
Mentioned high cholesteral........come off recently because of my lethargy etc.....
High folic acid.........do I take any vitamins......no but CLO which has a & d I think.

Quick search and possible low B12

My diets not bad I don't fad diet and don't stick to one food stuff.

So there you go

OH...........dont cycle for two weeks prior to next blood test.......

[saudidave]

Hi
I've been through all of this the last few years culminating in a prostate removal op 6 weeks ago. You don't say what your PSA level is?

Your PSA level can be raised by cycling but as I understand it, it's the exercise that raises it not sitting on a bike specifically. I was told don't cycle for a couple of days before a test, not a week!

[Jdsk]

Unfortunately it's complicated.

It's widely advised not to cycle for two days before the blood specimen is collected.

But there's now a systematic review showing no effect:
"The effect of bicycling on PSA levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis"
https://www.nature.com/articles/pcan201516
(As with all systematic reviews the report contains discussion of the limitations of the evidence... topical huh?)

If there is a genuine effect it's likely to depend on details of the individual saddle, the individual perineum, the vigour of the cycling and whether you're cycling frequently.

So the advice to refrain is sensible while this is sorted out.

Jonathan

PS: The above is not about the advisability of measuring PSA in individuals. not about whether we should have a screening programme, and not about the protective effect of cycling against prostate cancer.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
The doctor definitely said two weeks.
The borderline PSA level was just mentioned as borderline, they well may have Mentioned a figure over the phone but I don't remember what it was exactly.
They just wanted to re-do the test in a month to see whether it was the same or whether it dropped.
Two weeks with no exercise at all wouldn't do me a lot of good as it tends to keep my back in check.
But I'll do some walking in stead and probably use the treadmill a bit more now.

[mjr]

What utterly impractical advice! How do they expect people to travel around in those two weeks? Not a Health Service strikes again

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I think one week maybe but I don't think I'm going to leave off for two weeks.

[Jdsk]

Lab Tests Online UK:
https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/pro ... ntigen-psa
PSA may remain high for many months following a urinary tract infection, and for 48 hours following vigorous exercise, especially riding a bicycle

Prostate Cancer UK:
https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-i ... -psa-level
Vigorous exercise – You might be asked not to do any vigorous exercise in the 48 hours before a PSA test.

The British Association of Urological Surgeons:
https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/page ... Advice.pdf
"If you decide you want a PSA test, refrain from vigorous exercise such as cycling or sex in the 2 days before the test."

(None of those are NHS organisations.)

I don't know where "two weeks" came from. But if two weeks would be more difficult than two days i suggest checking with your GP. There might be a special reason why she said that.

Jonathan

Statement of interest: I've worked on Lab Tests Online UK since it was first conceived. Suggestions and corrections always welcome.

[Jdsk]

High folic acid.........do I take any vitamins......no but CLO which has a & d I think.

Is that cod liver oil? That contains lots of vitamin D.

The current advice is oral supplementation of vitamin D in the winter months.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins- ... vitamin-d/
You can navigate to advice on other micronutrients from that page.

Jonathan

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Thanks.
I am already on vitamin d from the NHS, free supply.

[axel_knutt]

So the advice to refrain is sensible while this is sorted out.

When I was diagnosed with AF, the doctor in A&E told me to knock the cycling on the head until I'd seen cardiology, but when I fetched up at the OPC, the cardiologist accused me of being uncooperative and sabotaging their tests by quitting cycling. He then wrote a letter to my GP saying the same.

After numerous other instructions to resume cycling, quit cycling, resume cycling, quit cycling......, I was told that I have an inability to cope with conflicting information.

[Cowsham]

I get my blood tested every year at my MOT and there's always been a mark at my liver function being low or out of spec ( not sure which way it was ) but discovered if I refrain from exercise for a fortnight before the test, my blood comes back normal. Doesn't have to be cycling that upsets the results just vigorous exercise of any kind.

Something to do with having too many young white blood cells and them being an infection marker as if my body is making them to replace others that have been killed off in a fight against some infection or something -- not sure.