Procalcitonin
Procalcitonin is a protein that rises especially with BACTERIAL infections (less with viral ones). It therefore helps distinguish a bacterial infection from other causes of inflammation.
| Rating | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Good | below 0.5 µg/L | Within range. |
| Talk to a doctor | 0.5 µg/L and above | Elevated — possible bacterial infection; consult. |
Why it matters
Surviving Sepsis: elevated supports a bacterial infection.
If it’s low
Low procalcitonin makes a bacterial infection unlikely (more likely a viral or non-inflammatory cause).
If it’s high
Elevated procalcitonin strongly suggests a bacterial infection; very high can mean sepsis (a serious, systemic infection) — an emergency.
What to do
Procalcitonin is a hospital/clinical marker, not a lifestyle one. A rise with symptoms of infection belongs to a doctor — immediately with signs of sepsis (fever, chills, confusion, rapid pulse).
Read together with
Leukocytes (WBC) · hs-CRP
Part of the guide: Inflammation →
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
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