Men's Health: Prostate Exam (PSA)

The men's health checkup at Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Hammerly in Spring Branch brings together the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a look at your vital signs and other labs based on your age and complaints. It's for men in Houston who haven't been checked in years or who notice changes when they urinate.

What is PSA and what can it signal?

The prostate releases a protein called PSA into the bloodstream, and a single blood draw measures it. It can rise for several reasons: the benign prostate enlargement that comes with age, inflammation, an infection or, in some cases, cancer. So a high value isn't a diagnosis; it's a signal to take a closer look. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that the decision to get this test be made in conversation with a health professional, and that's exactly what happens during the visit.

How should you prepare for the sample?

• Avoid ejaculation and intense cycling in the days before, since both can push the number up.
• Mention any burning when you urinate or a fever; an infection also throws it off.
• Bring your medication list; some drugs for the prostate or hair loss lower PSA.
• No fasting is needed unless glucose or cholesterol are measured from the same draw.

What other labs can be added to the visit?

If you feel low on energy or your mood is down, the clinic's medical team may include a testosterone level along with other values that affect fatigue. Many men discover a high glucose or blood pressure during this checkup that had never been measured; if that's you, you continue with chronic condition care. And if urinating is uncomfortable, the urine test is done in the clinic's lab under our urinary tract infection service.

What happens if a value comes back out of range?

1. We let you know when the results are ready and go over them calmly.
2. The medical team weighs whether to repeat the test to confirm it.
3. We review your symptoms, family history and anything that might have affected the number.

Men who work daytime hours can find evening appointments at our Hammerly Blvd office on weekdays.