PSA (Free)
Discover Free PSA levels for prostate health screening and cancer risk assessment. Monitor male health markers with precision tracking.
What is PSA (Free)?
Free PSA is the unbound fraction of prostate-specific antigen that circulates in blood. When measured alongside total PSA, the free PSA percentage helps distinguish between benign prostate conditions and prostate cancer, as cancer tends to produce less free PSA relative to total PSA.
Why is it Tested?
Doctors order free PSA when total PSA is elevated but within the “gray zone” (typically 4-10 ng/mL) to help determine whether a prostate biopsy is needed. A higher free PSA percentage suggests benign causes, while a lower percentage increases cancer concern.
Normal Ranges
Free PSA is typically reported as a percentage of total PSA:
- Men: >25% (free PSA ratio)
The free PSA ratio (free PSA/total PSA × 100) is more clinically useful than the absolute free PSA value for cancer risk assessment.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low Free PSA Percentage (<25%)
Lower ratios may indicate:
- Increased prostate cancer risk
- Need for further evaluation (biopsy)
- More aggressive cancer subtypes
- Recommendation for closer monitoring
High Free PSA Percentage (>25%)
Higher ratios suggest:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Prostatitis
- Lower cancer probability
- Possible avoidance of immediate biopsy
How to Track Over Time
Free PSA percentage trends help monitor prostate health and guide biopsy decisions. A declining percentage over time may warrant increased surveillance, while stable or improving ratios provide reassurance when total PSA is mildly elevated.
Track your PSA (Free) results over time
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