I read a lots about prostate and PSA test. As I can tell, as your age 63, PSA 1.84 (05/08) seems good (low). Your trend showed that 2006 to 2007 had a big step (0.7 to 1.79) because the velocity is 1.09, which >0.75/yr, but since that (03/08 will not count) is 1.84. I think it seems that your "new" level is about 1.8, but this new trend need to be proved - if you repeat it in a couple years, and it will stay in this level.
Your BPH and aging will also increase your PSA, so did any possible infection and inflammation. Sometime infection is not very obvious, but a course of antibiotics will take care of problems, it is up to your Dr to decide. Also, sometime "unknow" reasons also cause PSA result fluctuated, if you feel it is not actual, just repeat it. Some medical Lab provide "walk in " PSA test w/o Dr's order, it is worth for a little money ( about $30) to have a peace of mind.
As of %free PSA, as I read, your right, for PSA <4, %free PSA related to cancer is not established, now only used for PSA=4-10. So total PSA is important as your PSA is <4. Some alb may offer cPSA which direct measure bound PSA (related to cancer) but not measure total PSA and %free PSA, but most labs do not offer cPSA.
There is a book - The complete prostate book, by J. Stephen Jones from Cleveland Clinic Foundation, describe all prostate issues and PSA test in details.
Good luck for your PSA test, hope it will stable. And please keep us posted.
The best regards.
Thanks very much for your thoughtful response. I really appreciate it.
After about a year and half delay, I thought I would post additional test resutls
Nov 2008 -- PSA = 2.35; fPSA = 14%
Jan 2009 -- PSA = 2.33; fPSA = not done
April 2010 -- PSA = 2.20; fPSA = not done
Since for the last year and half my PSA has been stable, my FP says that there is no reason for a biopsy and plans to continue just annual evaluation at this point. He seems to have concluded that I have mild BPH that has prompted the rise in my PSA over the last several years. Make sense?
Sorry for my delay in posting the results as they came in. As always I appreciate your feedback. This is a great web site.