AboutSamantha, MLT (ASCP) Expertise I can answer most general questions about all aspects of laboratory testing. But I'm not a doctor! I can just give general answers.
Experience I have been the chemistry supervisor at the hopsital where I work for 11 years. I am an MLT (ASCP)which means I am board certified.
Education/Credentials Associate's Degree, Medical Lab Technician, 1997.
Question I have read a lot about how much validity to give to PSA test results with studies showing false negatives and false positives. How accurate is the test itself? How is it performed? Are some labs more accurate than others? Is there a range of accuracy (i.e. + or - ?%) ?
Answer Hi Jerry, I'd be glad to try and answer your question. As with any blood test, there will be false negatives and false positives. The PSA generally is a fairly accurate test. But it is done as a "screening" test only, which means that if the result were to come up high, further testing will be indicated. PSA is a blood test, and the test may be done differently in different laboratories, depending on the chemistry analyzer that peforms the test (there are several). The range of accuracy depends on the test that the lab performs, which will be different among different hospitals, but generally, I would guess that it's around +-10%.
Samantha
**This answer is not a substitute for professional medical advice.**
