Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are used as a biomarker for prostate health, and their interpretation can vary based on age and other factors. Here are the general reference ranges for healthy PSA levels based on age:
- Men aged 40-49 years: Up to 2.5 ng/mL
- Men aged 50-59 years: Up to 3.5 ng/mL
- Men aged 60-69 years: Up to 4.5 ng/mL
- Men aged 70-79 years: Up to 6.5 ng/mL
These ranges are derived from various studies and can vary slightly depending on the population and the specific assay used. It is also important to note that PSA levels can be influenced by various factors, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and recent ejaculation. Therefore, elevated PSA levels do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer, and further diagnostic evaluation, such as a digital rectal exam (DRE) or prostate biopsy, may be necessary to determine the cause of elevated PSA levels.
Further Reading:
- Nakanishi, H., Nakao, M., Nomoto, T., Miki, T., Nakagawa, S., Kitamura, K., & Watanabe, H. (1999). [The investigation of age-specific PSA reference range as the cut-off values in the mass screening for prostatic cancer]. Nihon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. The Japanese Journal of Urology, 90(11), 853–858. https://doi.org/10.5980/jpnjurol1989.90.853
- Gupta, A., Gupta, D., Raizada, A., Gupta, N. P., Yadav, R., Vinayak, K., & Tewari, V. (2014). A hospital-based study on reference range of serum prostate specific antigen levels. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 140(4), 507–512. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4277136/
- What Is a Normal PSA Level by Age? High Level and Chart. (n.d.). MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_a_normal_psa_level_by_age/article.htm