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Prostadine and PSA Tests: What to Tell Your Doctor
In the sources we cite, saw palmetto left PSA no different from placebo, even at high doses. Pomegranate data on PSA are conflicting, and finasteride and dutasteride lower it. Tell the person who orders the test about every supplement so the result is read correctly.
Written by the Prostadine label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The basics01
What does a PSA test measure?
PSA is a protein made by the prostate. A blood test measures how much is in the blood.
The National Cancer Institute notes that BPH and prostatitis can raise PSA, that readings over 4.0 ng/mL are usually treated as abnormal, with some doctors preferring age-based cutoffs (NCI, PSA test). A raised level is a reason for more questions, not a diagnosis.
PSA is not recommended for routine screening of the general population, and men who consider it should discuss risks and benefits with a doctor (NCI, PSA test).
The evidence02
What changes PSA, and in which direction
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enlarged prostate (BPH) | Can raise PSA (NCI, PSA test) |
| Prostatitis | Can raise PSA (NCI, PSA test) |
| Finasteride, dutasteride | Lower PSA; doctors adjust the cutoff (NCI, PSA test) |
| Saw palmetto | No more effect than placebo, even at high doses (MSK, Saw Palmetto) |
| Pomegranate juice | Conflicting data in men with raised PSA (MSK, Pomegranate) |
The numbers03
Why tell the doctor about the drops?
Because a supplement that changed PSA could hide a problem or create a false alarm, and a doctor can read a result better with the full picture. Saw palmetto is unlikely to alter the number, which is reassuring. Other herbal ingredients are less studied.
The same goes for your prescription list. If you take finasteride or dutasteride, the lab and the doctor must know, since the same number means something different on those medicines.
The catch04
What does the screening advice say?
The US Preventive Services Task Force gives PSA screening a grade C for men 55 to 69, meaning it is an individual decision after discussing benefits and harms. For men 70 and older it recommends against screening. The harms it lists are false positives, biopsy complications, overdiagnosis and overtreatment (USPSTF, Prostate cancer screening).
A supplement is not a screening tool and does not replace this conversation. Our PSA and checkups guide sets out the age bands.
Safety05
Should a high PSA frighten you?
Not on its own. Many men with a raised PSA turn out to have an enlarged prostate, an infection or no problem at all, and PSA fluctuates from day to day. Over 4.0 ng/mL is the usual line for an abnormal result, per the NCI, although cutoffs by age are used by some doctors (NCI, PSA test). A single number is a prompt to look further, not a conclusion.
It is also true that PSA can miss cancers, and that testing finds some slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm. That is the overdiagnosis problem the USPSTF names (USPSTF, Prostate cancer screening). The balance of benefit and harm differs from man to man, which is why the guidance is to decide with a doctor.
A calm approach helps: repeat the test if advised, ask what the next steps would be at each result and write down the answers.
What to do06
How to prepare for the test
- Bring the list of every supplement and medicine, with the Prostadine ingredient list.
- Tell the lab and doctor if you take finasteride or dutasteride.
- Avoid ejaculation and heavy cycling for a day or two before, since both may raise PSA for a short time.
- Report urinary symptoms, fever or recent infection, since these can raise PSA.
Do not stop finasteride or any prescribed drug to change a PSA result. Ask your doctor how to interpret it.
On the label07
What if the result is high?
A high result is common and often has a benign cause. The next steps may include a repeat test, a urine test, an exam or an MRI, and your doctor will explain the choices. Do not self-treat with supplements while you wait, and keep your log of symptoms to share.
FAQ08
Prostadine questions people ask
Does Prostadine lower PSA?
No source says so. The seller does not claim it. Saw palmetto did not change PSA more than placebo in the sources we cite, but tell your doctor about every supplement.
Do I need to stop supplements before a PSA test?
Not usually, but disclose them. Ask your doctor, and never stop a prescribed drug such as finasteride to change a result.
Why does finasteride matter for PSA?
It lowers PSA, so a normal-looking number can hide a problem. Doctors use a lower cutoff for men taking it, so they must know.
Can prostatitis raise PSA?
Yes. The NCI notes that BPH and prostatitis can raise PSA. Tell the doctor about fever, pain or a recent urinary infection before the test.
Who wrote this09
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the bottle photos, the info page and linked NIH, FDA, NCI, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a licensed U.S. retail desk for Prostadine, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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