Got a PSA blood test already booked or thinking of having one? It’s important to ensure your results are as accurate as possible by ensuring you do, and don’t do, certain things before your blood test. We’ve put together an expert-reviewed guide to the dos and don’ts before having your PSA levels tested.
Do you know why regular PSA testing is essential for men’s health? A PSA test is a simple blood test that can help to detect early signs of prostate cancer or other relevant prostate conditions by assessing the levels of a Prostate-Specific Antigen, a type of protein, in your blood.
Joe Appiah talks about prostate awareness
Joe Appiah, M50 Sprint Hurdles World Record holder, discusses his own personal prostate story and how he's campaigning to encourage all men to get their #PSA levels tested.
In 2021, my friend called me up, he was around the same age as me and said that he's got prostate cancer. I was shocked, of course, but he told me that he's got an operation coming up very, very quickly and that he I should going to get checked.
He told me that he had symptoms and ignored it. He's also got a family history of prostate and basically, he ignored it but for me I had no symptoms, so I had no need to go and get checked. But he encouraged me, he told me that black men we are higher risk. When he when he told me that, I did my own research and it transpired that one in eight men will get prostate cancer, but for black men we are one in four. Those people also with family history are in a higher risk category as well as age 50 and upwards, but for black men the age is slightly lower age. 45 and upwards, really you should be starting to get your prostate checked.
My GP said, ‘Well you got no symptoms, so you know I shouldn't really be sending you for a PSA blood test’. I insisted and he did a physical exam which was not conclusive and then he sent me for a blood test. The results of the blood test came back that my PSA was quite high - around 17 - and he sent me to the urology department and then I had an MRI scan, followed by a biopsy. And I wasn't expecting anything at all really, because I know that from my research other things can impact the PSA level being raised like protein, like if you're doing exercises and what you were doing prior to doing the PSA test.
The results of the biopsy came back; they took about 18 samples, around 80% of that suggested that I've got cancer, and I mean I was, you know, it was horrible. The doctor said to me ‘Do you know I'm telling you’ve that you got cancer?’ and that's when it dawned upon me that I've got cancer. From someone that's winning World Championships all of a sudden, I'm in my worst, vulnerable position that I've got cancer. So, it just shows that it doesn't matter how fit you are, how much you try to minimise these risks by, you know, your lifestyle this cancer doesn't discriminate.
So, once I was diagnosed, lucky for me after the biopsy they needed to know whether the cancer spread but lucky for me my cancer was what is called localised. It was within my prostate so, in September 2021, I had an operation. When I was diagnosed my cancer was at stage 2C; when I had my operation in September the cancer had changed to stage 3B. So, I know some people may say that prostate cancer is not progressive but it's different for everybody. It could be quite progressive, and I've come back to the thing that I love. It took a while, but I had plans in place to see if I can return back to competition and I have come back from cancer, and I even broke the world record for my age group.
Eating and drinking
Do eat and drink before your PSA test – you’re not required to fast prior to your blood test. There’s also no evidence that shows drinking caffeine will affect your PSA results, so it’s fine to stick to your normal eating habits before your test.
Can you drink alcohol before a PSA test?
Don’t drink alcohol prior to your test. A study on Alcohol Consumption and PSA-detected Prostate Cancer Risk by NIH researchers found that excessive drinking can depress PSA levels.
Exercise and physical activity
Don’t do any vigorous exercise such as lifting weights or contact sports on the day of your PSA test, or for at least 48 hours prior if you can help it. You can, however, still do light exercise such as walking, yoga or stretches.
Cycling can especially cause a spike in your PSA levels as it can aggravate your prostate due to the position of sitting on a bike and heating up the pelvic region when pedalling.
Sexual activity
Don’t have sex prior to your PSA test as it could significantly affect your results. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by a man's prostate gland (a small gland in the pelvis between the penis and bladder), so any changes in this region can impact results.
How long to wait for PSA test after ejaculation?
Don’t ejaculate during the 48 hours prior to your PSA test because the semen released during sexual activity can cause your PSA levels to spike temporarily.
Medications
Do tell your GP if you’re taking the following medications: Proscar, Avodart for BPH (benign prostate enlargement) and finasteride, a medication used to treat pattern hair loss and BPH in men. All three of these drugs can throw off your PSA level, making it seem lower than it actually is.
How does finasteride affect PSA test results?
Finasteride is commonly prescribed to shrink enlarged prostate. According to the British Medical Journal, it can shrink an enlarged prostate and will typically halve PSA levels within nine to 12 months. The PSA will then remain at that ‘halved’ level for the duration of the finasteride. For this reason, it’s important to let your GP know before having your PSA levels tested, so this can be taken into consideration.
Can antibiotics affect PSA test results?
Taking antibiotics as a treatment for any infections is something you also need to disclose before your PSA test..
Does ibuprofen affect PSA test results?
NSAIDS: A class of non-steroidal pain medications which includes ibuprofen, Motrin and Advil can cause your PSA level to drop. Again, do talk to your GP before having a PSA test if you’re taking NSAIDS regularly.
Other tests, treatments and pre-existing conditions
Don’t get the PSA test after a rectal exam. During a rectal exam, your prostate will be stimulated, which causes PSA to be released into your bloodstream and therefore will raise your levels of PSA.
Your GP should know this but it’s important you do tell your doctor your medical history and if you’ve had treatment or surgery for enlarged prostate. TURP or a laser procedure for BPH can lower the amount of PSA you release. This is because there isn’t as much tissue inside the prostate as there once was.
Don’t go for a PSA test if you’ve had an active urinary infection within the previous six weeks. NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS - Ref 2) advises this as infections of the urinary tract can also impact PSA results by slightly elevating them.
Speak to one of our private GPs
At Benenden Hospital, we offer a PSA test as part of our Private GP Service. Your blood test will be carried out in one of our relaxing Outpatient rooms in a quiet and discreet environment. Book your Private GP appointment using our online booking tool, by calling our Private Patient team on 01580 363158 or by completing our online enquiry form.
Published on 14 April 2025