PHYSIOLOGICAL VARIATIONS OF SERUM TESTOSTERONE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE DO NOT AFFECT SERUM PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

Objectives. To determine the relationship between endogenous total serum testosterone levels and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations, If a correlation exists between these two parameters, then use of testosterone-specific reference ranges may enhance the utility of PSA as a marker for prostate cancer. Methods, Data were obtained from 150 men without previous history of prostate cancer. PSA was measured by the Abbott IMX microparticle enzyme immunoassay and total testosterone determined by the Coat-A-Count radioimmunoassay. Results, No correlation was found between testosterone and PSA, even when corrected for age and weight. Conclusions, The data suggest that determination of the total serum testosterone level does not improve the sensitivity or specificity of PSA as a tumor marker.