What is an optimal PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level?
The short answer
An optimal PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level is under 2 ng/mL. Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Ted Schaeffer both put it there. You can watch Hyman say it below.
Most labs call PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) high only above 4. So your report can call 3 normal while it sits above where these doctors want it.
These numbers are for men.
“you should be really low like it should be less than two nanograms per milliliter now the reference range goes up to four uh but individuals with levels below four can still have prostate cancer so it's important to to look at the progression of Rise”
Where a number lands, and who said so
- under 2 ng/mL The range Dr. Mark Hyman draws
- 2–4 ng/mL Normal on most reports. Above optimal“if your PSA is below two the probability you have a lethal prostate cancer is, you know, less than one in a million, so we don't have to worry about that individual” Dr. Ted Schaeffer · 5:43 →
- over 4 ng/mL Most labs flag this as high
What PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) measures
A protein your prostate makes.
It rises with prostate enlargement, inflammation and cancer. So it is where an investigation starts, not where it ends.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.
One of the doctors we cite, on why it matters
“if your PSA is below two the probability you have a lethal prostate cancer is, you know, less than one in a million, so we don't have to worry about that individual”
Common questions
What is an optimal PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level?
Under 2 ng/mL, according to Dr. Mark Hyman and Dr. Ted Schaeffer.
What is a normal PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level?
Most US labs print 0–4 ng/mL. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) number mean?
Under 0 ng/mL, your report marks it low. Between 0 and 4 it prints as normal. Over 4, your report marks it high. Where the people we follow draw their own line is above.
Is PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) of 3 normal?
Your lab will call it normal. Dr. Mark Hyman puts the ceiling at 2 ng/mL, so by that number it is high.
What does the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test measure?
A protein your prostate makes. It rises with prostate enlargement, inflammation and cancer. So it is where an investigation starts, not where it ends.
Where does this number come from?
Dr. Mark Hyman, on video. The link above jumps straight to that minute.