Prostate Specific Antigen, Diagnostic (PSA, Diagnostic)

Tube Type

Test ID

LAB116

EPIC Order

PSA, DIAGNOSTIC

CPT Code(s)

84153

Group/Individual Test

Individual

Laboratory

Core Laboratory

Tube Station

30

Specimen

Routine:

4 mL blood/gold SST tube/red plain tube also acceptable; See Comments

Micro:

0.9 mL blood gold top of red top bullet

Stability

Spun & Separated Room Temperature: 8 hours

Spun & Separated Refrigerator: 48 hours

Spun & Separated Frozen: 30 days

Availability

Routine:

24 hrs/day

Turnaround Time

Routine:

2 hrs

Reference Range

Normal:

Age	Normal Range
≤49 years	<2.5 ng/mL
50-69 years	<3.5 ng/mL
70+ years	<6.5 ng/mL

PSA interpretation should account for patient age, comorbidity, life expectancy, and clinical context. Age-specific PSA thresholds may better reflect biological variation and may reduce unnecessary testing and referrals while preserving detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Wei JT et. al. Early detection of prostate cancer: AUA/SUO guideline part I: prostate cancer screening. J Urol. 2023;210(1):46-53.

Comments

To be used when managing diagnosed prostatic malignancies or detecting persistent disease in patients following treatment.

Tumor marker assays cannot be used interchangeably; this test is performed using the Siemens Atellica PSA Immunoassay effective 7/13/21. This assay is a 2-site sandwich immunoassay using direct chemiluminescent technology.

Heterophilic antibodies may cause interference.

Reviewed by J. Carr on February 23, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514