Serum Procalcitonin Test
Serum Procalcitonin Test
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a protein that acts as a precursor of the hormone calcitonin. It is produced by the C-cells in the thyroid gland at such low levels that it normally remains undetected in the blood. However, its level rises when there is a bacterial infection in your body, indicating that there may be chances of a serious infection or sepsis. At such times, procalcitonin is released from several parts of the body, thereby increasing its level in the bloodstream.
Sepsis, or septicemia, is the body’s immune system’s response to an infection usually caused by bacteria. As a result of sepsis, the infection may spread into the bloodstream and result in inflammation and blood clots. This infection initially spreads to the lungs, skin, digestive system, or urinary tract.
The serum procalcitonin test measures the level of procalcitonin in the blood. It helps your healthcare provider determine if you have sepsis from a bacterial infection or if you are at risk of developing sepsis.
Procalcitonin acts as a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin, and helps maintain calcium homeostasis. It also plays the role of a blood marker for bacterial infections in the body
Symptoms of Sepsis
Change in mental status
Fast, shallow breathing
Sweating without reason
Feeling lightheaded
Shivering
What is the Serum Procalcitonin test used for?
This test may be useful in the following cases:
1
-
Diagnose a bacterial infection or sepsis
2
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Assess the seriousness of sepsis
3
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Make a treatment plan
4
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Monitor the progress of a treatment
5
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Diagnose kidney infections in children suffering from urinary tract infections
Test preparation:
Serum procalcitonin test does not require any special preparation. In this test, a small sample of blood is taken from a vein in your arm and collected in a test tube or vial.
Interpretation of results
Normal Range: <0.05ng/mL
|
PCT levels |
Remarks |
|
<0.50ng/mL |
Low risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock |
|
>2.00ng/mL |
High risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock |
Deviations from the normal range indicate:
· Lower levels of PCT (<0.5 ng/ml) mean that there is a minimal PCT response and an ongoing infection is unlikely.
· Elevated levels of PCT(>2.00ng/mL) can be caused due to a significant systemic inflammatory response, such as after major trauma, surgery, burns, or pancreatitis.
· Falsely elevated PCT levels may be caused due to thyroid medullary C-cell carcinoma or small cell lung cancer
FAQs
What is the purpose of conducting a serum procalcitonin test?
The PCT test can detect severe sepsis infections, bacterial infections such as pneumonia and meningitis, or urinary tract infections in children
Does the PCT test involve any risks?
Since the PCT test requires only a small amount of blood sample collection, it is easy to conduct. The test may cause slight burning or pain at the site of pricking, which generally goes away after a couple of minutes
My PCT test result shows moderately to mildly high levels of procalcitonin. What does it mean?
A moderately to mildly high procalcitonin test result may show signs of the early stages of a bacterial infection or kidney infection in children. It may also be indicative of conditions other than infection, such as tissue damage due to severe burns, trauma, a severe heart attack, or recent surgery
What does a high level of procalcitonin in a PCT test indicate?
If your PCT test shows high levels of procalcitonin, it most likely means that you have sepsis or are at high risk of developing severe sepsis or sepsis shock. This is a life-threatening condition where your organs do not get sufficient blood to function properly and require immediate medical attention
Who is susceptible to sepsis?
Newborn babies, infants, and the elderly are most susceptible to sepsis. Other high-risk individuals include post-surgery patients, people with medical implants such as pacemakers, those with a weakened immune system, and those with chronic health conditions such as diabetes
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