The Procalcitonin test, known as PCT, is used to measure the level of procalcitonin in the blood. It is an important indicator in cases of bacterial infection and the development of sepsis. In these two situations, where the body’s defense cells are intensely activated, procalcitonin levels typically peak between the second and fourth hours. Procalcitonin is the propeptide of calcitonin, a 116-peptide molecule with a molecular weight of 13 kDa. Procalcitonin has been studied as a sepsis biomarker, to help with diagnosing/ ruling out sepsis and to guide the initiation and cessation of antibiotics Understand what a PCT ( procalcitonin ) blood test is for, its normal range, and what high or low results might mean. Learn how it helps diagnose infections and guide treatment. Overall, while most of the observational literature of procalcitonin suggest potential clinical utility, good performance characteristics alone are insufficient, with the central issue for procalcitonin , or any biomarker or test, that it be tied to a treatment decision.
