PSA test—must change labs

Hi everyone. This week I’ll be having my semiannual PSA lab work. I called today to make my appointment and was told that the local lab that I have been using for many years is undergoing a major upgrade and is temporarily closed. The replacement lab is Wake Forest Medical Center. This is a large hospital and probably has a fine lab, but I am very disappointed to change now because I wanted consistency, especially for this upcoming test.

Last July my PSA increased from 1.28 to 2.56. This was 18 months post radiation and my RO thinks this is most likely a radiation bounce. He suggested doing nothing and to have my next test as usual in January. I have to say that this has been a very worrisome time for me and I know that another increase now will not be so easily dismissed. If it’s up, it’s up, but I wanted as many variables out of the way as possible: no sex for 2 weeks; no bike riding; no strenuous exercise; ibuprofen for 3 weeks. Introducing a new lab is a variable I don’t want. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about that.

However, I don’t want to just switch labs and hope for the best. I’m thinking about requesting two blood samples at my doctor’s office and have him send one to Wake Forest, and the other to another well-known lab like Labcorp, for example. I know for sure I won’t send one to Quest.

I’d really appreciate your input on this. What would you do? Suppose one is significantly different from the other. Would that call for a third test?

Frankly I think you're worrying too much. You have decent stats. Wish I I had them! No sex for two weeks? How far off can a lab at Wake Forrest be?
Bob