Procalcitonin

check icon Optimal Result: 0 - 0.08 ng/mL.

Procalcitonin is a marker of significant interest in the medical field, particularly when it comes to diagnosing and managing infections. Produced in response to a bacterial infection, procalcitonin levels in the blood can help doctors determine the severity of an infection or sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. Unlike other markers that may rise in various conditions, procalcitonin is relatively specific to bacterial infections, making it a valuable tool for clinicians. When a patient presents symptoms of an infection, measuring procalcitonin levels can aid in deciding whether antibiotics are needed, as elevated levels are often indicative of a bacterial cause. On the other hand, low levels of procalcitonin might suggest a viral infection or another non-bacterial cause, potentially guiding a clinician away from unnecessary antibiotic use. This distinction is crucial in the fight against antibiotic resistance, a growing concern in healthcare. Labs, like Labcorp, offer procalcitonin testing, providing clinicians with a quantitative measure of procalcitonin in the blood. This information, in conjunction with other clinical findings, helps healthcare providers make more informed decisions about diagnosis, the necessity of antibiotics, and, if used, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. The use of procalcitonin as a biomarker is a testament to how advanced laboratory testing contributes to personalized and precise patient care.

This marker is useful:

→ to aid in the risk assessment of critically ill patients on their first day of ICU admission for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock;

→ to determine the change in PCT level over time as an aid in assessing the cumulative 28-day risk of all-cause mortality for patients diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock in the ICU or when obtained in the emergency department or other medical wards prior to ICU admission;

→ to aid in decision making on antibiotic therapy, for inpatients or patients in the emergency department with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) — defined as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute bronchitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD);

→ to aid in decision making on antibiotic discontinuation for patients with suspected or confirmed sepsis.

What does it mean if your Procalcitonin result is too high?

When PCT levels go up, it often points to a bacterial infection, showing that the body is fighting off harmful bacteria. This increase can lead doctors to take a closer look and possibly start antibiotics to tackle the bacteria causing trouble. But, high PCT levels aren't always about bacterial infections. They can go up for many other reasons too.

For example, if someone has had a big injury, surgery, or burns, their PCT levels might rise. This doesn't mean they have an infection; it's more about the body reacting to a lot of stress or damage. Certain treatments, like some medicines that kick the immune system into high gear, can also make PCT levels go up. This is because they cause inflammation or an allergic reaction, not an infection. Even some types of cancer can make PCT levels rise without any infection being present.

Other things like liver problems, heart issues, kidney troubles, and even some specific conditions like severe pancreatitis or heat stroke can increase PCT levels too. This is because they put the body under a lot of stress or cause inflammation. Even fungal infections, severe malaria, or the natural adjustments newborns go through right after birth can make PCT levels go up.

Doctors need to look at the whole picture, including medical history and other tests, to understand why PCT levels are high. It's not just about finding an infection; it's about figuring out exactly what's going on in the body. Knowing all the different reasons PCT levels can increase helps doctors make the right diagnosis and choose the best treatment. It's like putting together a puzzle where high PCT levels are an important clue, but you need all the pieces to see the full picture.

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