Book Procalcitonin Test

When a very ill person develops signs and symptoms that indicate a systemic or severe bacterial infection or sepsis, a procalcitonin test may be required.

Some of the indications and symptoms of sepsis are as follows:

• Fever, chills, and shivering
• Skin that is clammy or sweaty
• Extreme discomfort or pain
• Breathing quickly
• A fast heartbeat
• Perplexity or disorientation
• Urination is less frequent
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Appetite loss
• Rashes on the skin
• Pain in the stomach
• Diarrhea with severe cramps

A procalcitonin test is performed to evaluate the following:

• To check whether the infection is bacterial or not, whether there is a danger that a person’s condition will advance to severe sepsis, septic shock, or death.
• Whether a secondary bacterial infection has occurred in patients who have suffered tissue damage as a result of trauma or surgery, burns, or a viral illness like pneumonia.
• Antibiotic treatments and the efficacy of medicines that have previously been given.
• It’s mostly utilized in people who go to emergency rooms or are admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) with signs and symptoms that could be caused by sepsis.

This testing requires no extra preparation and can be taken at any time of day.

The test is performed using a blood sample. A syringe is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. It’s a procedure that’s done regularly in a hospital, clinic, or lab. Additionally, home collection services are now available. To properly draw your blood sample, a licensed phlebotomist, nurse, or medical assistant will come to your home.

Keep the following considerations in mind:

• You may notice a minor bruise at the puncture site.
• Slight pain in the arm after the test, which can last for a few days.

There is usually no such risk associated with the Procalcitonin Test.

This test measures the extent of procalcitonin in the blood. Procalcitonin is generally produced during the production of the thyroid hormone calcitonin. It is created by C-cells, which are unique cells in the thyroid gland, and are present in low amounts in the blood. It may, however, be produced by other cells in the body when prompted by certain disease processes, including bacterial infections. It is not significantly raised when a person is infected with a virus.

Reference range:

0 to 0.05 micrograms per liter (µg/L)