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I am in a similar situation. My PSA was 0.15 in October 2025, 0.29 in January 2026 and now in May it is 0.833, almost doubling every three/four months. It is the highest since 2016 when I was treated under ADT (Zoladex) plus 13 sessions of radiotherapy. I have never received any conventional medication but I put myself on herbal supplements.
What can I do?
I saw the info below on Reddit. My radiation oncologist discounts the PSA bump idea (why?). Waiting for urologist appointment...will update. See comment about "nadir +2.0" indications (huh?)...I don't have a concrete idea of what to think at this point...confused... but am somewhat buoyed by the ambiguity.
psa bump after radiation
r/ProstateCancer
The PSA bump described is not uncommon after radiation and most commenters said it’s not yet high enough to call a biochemical recurrence.
What people said about small PSA rises after radiation
Not likely a recurrence at 0.17. "It’s too low to be considered a reoccurrence."
A PSA bounce after radiation is normal and ADT can depress PSA while on treatment. "A bounce in PSA post radiation is entirely norm, and that bounce can approach 2.0."
Doctors often wait and recheck; recurrence is usually defined as nadir + 2.0 after radiation. "A reocurance is when the PSA is over 2.13"
When people recommended imaging or action
Many said PSMA PET is unlikely to show anything at very low PSA and is usually reserved for higher PSA. "Some clinics won’t attempt a PSMA PET at 0.17 because at that level, the odds are they won’t see anything."
Others advised getting another PSA and confirm the result before worrying. "Have another PSA in 3 months."
Some said only restart ADT if PSA rises substantially or per doctor guidance. "He said no need to do anything with hormone therapy at this point."
Practical next steps people suggested
Repeat the PSA in a few months to check trend. "Have another PSA in 3 months."
Talk with the treating doctor about thresholds and monitoring plans. "It’s definitely a doctor question."
If PSA rises above ~2 or meets nadir+2 criteria, imaging or restarting ADT may be considered. "He said only if the PSA went over 2"
People on the thread mostly reassured the OP that a rise from 0.017 to 0.17 is a small absolute value and commonly monitored rather than immediately treated; getting a repeat PSA and discussing thresholds with the oncologist was the common, practical advice.
