Procalcitonin

Measures a marker used in evaluating systemic bacterial infection and sepsis.

To assess suspected systemic bacterial infection and its course in the clinical context.

1. Check in advance whether you need to fast or have your blood drawn at a specific time.
2. A special diet is usually not needed; check any specific requirements for the test with the laboratory.
3. Before the blood draw, avoid unusually intense physical exercise unless your doctor has advised otherwise.
4. Tell your doctor and the laboratory staff about any medicines and dietary supplements you take.

Fasting is generally not required. If another test has been ordered at the same time, the overall preparation plan may change.

A specific time is generally not required. If your doctor has set a different time, follow those instructions.

• Surgery or severe trauma
• Duration of infection and treatment
• Kidney function

Venous blood — serum or plasma, depending on the method

The blood sample is collected by a qualified staff member. The tube type, required volume, and processing and storage conditions are set by the laboratory's specific method. You do not need to store the sample yourself.

PCT can rise in severe bacterial infection, but it does not diagnose sepsis on its own.

Seek emergency care for high fever, changes in consciousness, severe shortness of breath or a rapidly worsening condition.

Procalcitonin is a marker of infection/inflammation, not a cancer screening marker.