At a glance
| Analyte | Total prostate-specific antigen |
|---|---|
| Also called | tPSA, PSA, Prostate specific antigen |
| Method | Two-site sandwich chemiluminescence immunoassay |
| Sample type | Serum, Plasma |
| Panel | Tumour marker |
| Discipline | CLIA immunoassay |
| Brand | Mindray |
What Total PSA measures
Prostate-specific antigen is produced by prostate tissue, and the name describes its specificity accurately: it is specific to the organ, not to any particular condition of it. Benign prostatic enlargement, prostatitis, urinary retention, recent instrumentation and even recent ejaculation all raise it. Its use is in assessment and follow-up directed by a physician, and it is interpreted alongside examination and the patient’s history rather than against a number alone. Because total PSA on its own leaves so much unresolved in the intermediate range, laboratories commonly report the free fraction beside it, since the ratio between free and total adds information the total does not carry.
How Philippine laboratories run it
PSA is requested widely in Philippine urology clinics and appears in executive check-up packages for men over a certain age, which gives it a mixed demand pattern: a screening-style batch component alongside genuine urological follow-up. The pre-analytical guidance matters more here than the laboratory usually communicates, since recent instrumentation, catheterisation or ejaculation can raise the result and the specimen is best drawn before a digital rectal examination rather than after. Laboratories offering PSA in a package should ensure that guidance reaches the collection area.
Analyzers it runs on
Calibrator, controls and companion tests
Delivered with the rest of the tumour marker panel, on the same schedule as Total PSA.
Storage and handling
Refrigerated, upright, and not frozen.
Buying Total PSA in the Philippines
Total PSA is supplied for the CL-2600i and CL-900i. We deliver it with Free PSA and CEA, because a run held up waiting on a separate order costs the same shift a stock-out does. Delivery is scheduled against your monthly Total PSA count, so the bench is not rationing tests in the last week of the month. How we plan clia immunoassay supply.
Questions about Total PSA
Why measure free PSA as well as total?
Because the total leaves a broad intermediate range in which it does not distinguish well between causes. The proportion of PSA circulating unbound differs between benign and other prostate conditions, so the free-to-total ratio adds information the total alone does not carry. The two are measured on the same sample and reported together, with interpretation belonging to the requesting physician.
Does anything raise PSA apart from disease?
Yes, several things, which is why collection guidance matters. Recent ejaculation, catheterisation, prostate biopsy or other instrumentation, urinary retention and a digital rectal examination performed before the draw can all raise the result. Where possible the sample is taken before an examination rather than after it, and recent procedures should be noted on the request.
Order Total PSA
Tell us your monthly Total PSA volume and we will quote a supply schedule for CL-2600i. We reply within one business day.
Request a quotation