Procalcitonin Serum Test

A procalcitonin (PCT) serum test is conducted to measure the procalcitonin levels in an individual. In normal conditions, the body naturally produces procalcitonin in small amounts every day. The protein functions as a precursor to calcitonin, a hormone that helps regulate calcium levels in the body. The serum concentration of procalcitonin begins to increase when the body responds to the presence of an infection , primarily in case of sepsis. Serum procalcitonin test also serves as a valuable biomarker for diagnosing microbial infections such as bacterial pneumonia, bacterial sepsis and septic shock, meningitis, infectious endocarditis, acute pancreatitis and urinary tract infections. 

The elevated levels in the PCT test means the body is fighting a bacterialinfection. PCT testing helps your healthcare provider diagnose sepsis, assess infection severity, and determine whether antibiotics are necessary.

Why Doctors Recommend Procalcitonin Serum Test

The primary objective of conducting a procalcitonin test is to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections and detect what is causing the infection. As an essential biomarker, the procalcitonin test or PCT test is prescribed by doctors to those who are at risk or have symptoms of sepsis or a serious bacterial infection that can lead to sepsis, including infants, children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems or with underlying medical problems. The following are the signs exhibited by individuals with sepsis:

• Fever or chills
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Low blood pressure
• Sweaty skin
• Mental confusion
• Extreme pain

Doctors use the PCT blood test range to:

• Assess the severity of the infection and the risk to the patient
• Make treatment decisions and monitor the need for antibiotics 
• Diagnose potential kidney infections in children with urinary tract infections
• Monitor bacterial complications (if they arise) after surgery
• Identify secondary bacterial infection in individuals with pneumonia or tissue damage from trauma or surgery

A procalcitonin serum test helps diagnose sepsis and analyse the severity of the infection. Also, it helps the doctor provide the right treatment plan for the patient and monitor how well the treatment is going for the patient. Furthermore, PCT test may be prescribed when there is severe tissue damage due to a traumatic accident, surgery, burns, inflammation, kidney infections, pancreatitis, urinary tract infections, tissue damage due to trauma, heart attack and more. 

Mainly, the PCT test is clinically valuable in detecting systemic bacterial infections early. This blood test is also useful to infer whether an individual has the risk of developing sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia. As a biomarker of infection, procalcitonin levels rise rapidly in response to infection, typically within 2-6 hours of onset and fall by approximately 50% per day when infection is treated. 

While high PCT in Procalcitonin blood test may indicate the presence of a bacterial infection or sepsis, it does not identify the bacteria responsible for the infection and may be recommended as part of a broader test panel. Furthermore, serum procalcitonin test results may vary across different laboratories and depending on factors including certain medications, non-infectious conditions and chronic illness. Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor for a proper understanding of the test results. 

Booking your test from a reputed and certified healthcare facility, such as Max Lab, will ensure accurate testing and timely delivery of test reports, which is essential in emergency conditions such as sepsis. The procalcitonin test price in India usually ranges between INR 2000 to INR 3000, depending on the city.

Preparations Before the Procalcitonin Serum Test

The procalcitonin test is a simple blood test that does not require any special preparation. It’s relatively quick and takes only a few minutes to complete.. You may experience slight discomfort or pain at the needle insertion site, however, it typically subsides quickly. 

Since PCT testing is a blood test, it is best to wear something comfortable that allows easy access to your arm. You should also consult with your doctor regarding fasting or inform about any ongoing medication or health condition, recent surgery or injury. These aspects can affect the procalcitonin levels in the blood and may impact the accuracy of the test results, increasing the chances of false positives.

What to Expect During the Procedure

The procalcitonin test procedure is relatively straightforward, and the test can be conducted either at your nearest diagnostic lab, hospital or at home. You can also opt for a free home sample collection service at Max Lab. All you need to do is to choose this option when paying the price for the procalcitonin test online. During the procedure, a trained phlebotomist will gently draw a small amount of blood, following the standardised processes and protocols of sample handling to ensure accurate results. The collection process takes only a few minutes, and the sample is sent to the lab.

Understanding the Test Results

The levels are measured in nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL). The procalcitonin reference range is as follows:

Normal Value of Procalcitonin in PCT Test

The Normal procalcitonin range is generally less than 0.05 ng/ml in healthy individuals. PCT blood test levels in this normal range indicate the absence of bacterial infection and suggest that there is no need for antimicrobial therapy. 

Low Value PCT Blood Test

Low PCT levels in the blood test reports indicate a noninfectious inflammation or local bacterial infection, such as a urinary tract infection. Low PCT in a PCT blood test may suggest that the body is responding to a mild or early-stage systemic bacterial infection. However, these levels may be present if you are currently being treated for a bacterial infection and the treatment is working.

Borderline or Moderate Levels in PCT Blood Test

The meaning of moderate PCT blood test levels usually indicates a higher chance of a significant bacterial infection and calls for immediate supportive care.

High Levels in PCT Blood Test

High PCT levels in the blood test indicate sepsis or a serious systemic bacterial infection. The PCT value correlates directly with the severity of the infection. The higher the PCT in blood test, the greater the risk of septic shock and poor outcomes.  High PCT blood test readings indicate immediate medical intervention.

Factors That May Cause Elevated Procalcitonin Levels

The use of the procalcitonin test can be useful for the early detection of sepsis and other bacterial and viral infections. PCT testing serves as an important indicator that facilitates the diagnosis and effective management of various infectious diseases. Slightly higher or high levels of PCT blood test can be due to localised bacterial infections, non-infectious inflammatory conditions or because of certain autoimmune conditions. 

Other factors include:

• Recent surgery
• Severe trauma 
• Severe burns
• Prolonged cardiogenic shock
• Fungal and malarial infections
• Medicines that stimulate the production of cytokines

How to Lower the Risk of Severe Bacterial Infections

It is important to understand that PCT test results may vary based on your underlying health conditions, current medications, timing of the test relative to infection onset and laboratory testing methods. Therefore, it is necessary to always consult your doctor to better understand the meaning of PCT blood test levels and receive a better and more accurate analysis of your condition based on your clinical history. The insights from these test results, along with other signs, will help your doctor get a full understanding of the treatment required.

If the levels are under the low or moderate range, timely treatment can lower the risk of severe bacterial infection. Other considerations which can help lower the risk include:

• Practising good hygiene
• Inculcating safe food habits
• Keep wounds clean and covered
• Vaccinate on time
• Avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics
• Maintain a healthy body