What is a procalcitonin test?

A procalcitonin test measures the level of procalcitonin in your blood. A high level could be a sign of a serious bacterial infection, such as sepsis. Sepsis is the body's severe response to infection. Sepsis happens when an infection in one area of your body, such as your skin or urinary tract, spreads into your bloodstream. This triggers an extreme immune reaction. It can cause a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, and other symptoms. Without quick treatment, sepsis can lead to organ failure or even death.

A procalcitonin test can help your health care provider determine if you have sepsis or another serious bacterial infection in the early stages. This may help you get treated promptly and avoid life-threatening complications.

Other names: PCT test

What is it used for?
A procalcitonin test may be used to help:

Diagnose sepsis and other bacterial infections, such as meningitis
Diagnose kidney infections in children with urinary tract infections
Determine the severity of a sepsis infection
Find out whether an infection or illness is caused by bacteria
Monitor the effectiveness of Antibiotics therapy

Why do I need a procalcitonin test?
You may need this test if you have symptoms of sepsis or another serious bacterial infection. These symptoms include:

Fever and chills
Sweating
Confusion
Extreme pain
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Very low blood pressure
This test is usually performed in the hospital. It is mostly used for people who come to the emergency room for treatment and for people who are already in the hospital.

What do the results mean?
If your results show a high procalcitonin level, it's likely you have a serious bacterial infection such as sepsis or meningitis. The higher the level, the more severe your infection may be. If you are being treated for an infection, decreasing or low procalcitonin levels can show that your treatment is working.

Is there anything else I need to know about a procalcitonin test?
Procalcitonin tests are not as precise as other laboratory tests for infections. So your health care provider will need to review and/or order other tests before making a diagnosis. But a procalcitonin test does offer important information that can help your provider start treatment sooner and may help you avoid serious illness.