PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
PSA is a protein produced mainly by prostate epithelial cells and released into blood. Elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer but also benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, recent ejaculation, or prostate manipulation. Rising PSA over time (velocity) and free PSA percentage help distinguish cancer from benign causes and guide biopsy decisions.
Optimal range: who says what
Institutions, researchers and practitioners draw the line in different places. Each position is listed with who holds it and, where a document states it, a link. How we verify ranges.
- Institution or study<2.5 ng/mL under 50; age-adjusted aboveAge-specific reference ranges (Oesterling et al. 1993, JAMA); velocity over time matters more than a single valueEjaculation, cycling, and prostatitis transiently raise PSA. Age-specific 95th percentiles: 2.5 (40s), 3.5 (50s), 4.5 (60s), 6.5 (70s) ng/mL
- Named practitioner<1.0 ng/mLLife Extension · Lab Testing Protocol (Suggested Optimal Ranges)Disclosure: Life Extension sells lab panels that appear in our blood-test comparisons.
- Lab reference intervalUp to 4.0 ng/mL; below 2.5 ng/mL for most men in their 50s or younger (MedlinePlus)What a lab report flags against. A lab interval is not an optimal target.
Practitioner targets are individual positions, often tighter than guideline ranges. Each was checked against its article before publishing.
11 of 21 itemized panels
Sex Hormones (Male)
Why PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) matters
Screening test for prostate cancer in men. Also elevated in benign prostate enlargement (BPH) and prostatitis. Rising PSA over time may be more significant than a single value.
Which Providers Test PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)?
Cheapest: Mito Health at $297/year. Most comprehensive: Function Health, 160+ biomarkers for $365/year.
11 panels that include it, cheapest first
| Provider | Annual Cost | Total Biomarkers | $/Biomarker |
|---|---|---|---|
| $297 | 100+ | $2.97 | |
 Superpower | $349 | 100+ | $3.49 |
| $349 | 75+ | $4.65 | |
 Function Health | $365 | 160+ | $2.28 |
| $365 | 100+ | $3.65 | |
| $495 | 80+ | $6.19 | |
| $895 | 100+ | $8.95 | |
| $996 | 59 | $16.88 | |
| $1188 | 70+ | $16.97 | |
| $1198 | 40+ | $29.95 | |
| $1950 | 130+ | $15.00 |
$/Biomarker is annual cost divided by the panel's advertised biomarker count, not the price of this one test. We track 23 blood test providers (32 plans); 21 of those plans are itemized marker by marker. Compare all of them.
10 itemized panels do not include PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
WHOOP Advanced Labs · Labcorp OnDemand · Everlywell · InsideTracker · Marek Health Base · Empirical Health · Oura Health Panels · Vitality Blueprint Standard · Vitality Blueprint Elite · Ultrahuman Blood Vision Annual
11 providers not itemized in our matrix
We have not itemized these marker by marker (some sell tests one at a time), so this page cannot say whether they offer PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). Check with them directly.
Life Extension Standard · Quest Health · Ultrahuman Blood Vision · Lifeforce · Hundred Health · Personalabs · Walk-In Lab · HealthLabs · WHOOP Specialized Panels · Marek Health Essential · Vitality Blueprint Upload
Experts discussing PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
Podcast episodes where clinicians and researchers cover this marker in depth. Curated by hand; an episode is listed only when the marker is a substantial topic, not a passing mention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal range for PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)?
Published position: <2.5 ng/mL under 50; age-adjusted above (Age-specific reference ranges (Oesterling et al. 1993, JAMA); velocity over time matters more than a single value). Named practitioners target: <1.0 ng/mL (Life Extension). Lab reference interval: Up to 4.0 ng/mL; below 2.5 ng/mL for most men in their 50s or younger (MedlinePlus). That is what a lab report flags against, not an optimal target.
Which blood test providers include PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)?
11 of the 21 blood testing panels we itemize marker by marker include PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) in their panels. This biomarker is widely available across major providers.
Related: YouBoost rates lifestyle and supplement interventions by evidence; HRV Zone tracks recovery trends.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
Last reviewed Sep 23, 2026 · First published Sep 30, 2025