Why is this procedure done?
This test is done to find out how much procalcitonin is in your blood. Procalcitonin is a hormone that is made in your thyroid gland. It is normally present in small amounts in your blood. Procalcitonin levels rise when you have a bacterial infection. The levels also rise if you have a severe stress or trauma and after a big surgery. They do not go up if you have a viral infection. ‚
The doctor may order a procalcitonin level: ‚
- When you have signs of a serious bacterial infection
- If you have signs of an infection throughout your whole body
- When many of your organs are not working well
- If you have had surgery, a burn, serious injury, a trauma, or a viral illness
- To see how well your treatment is working
- To go along with other tests
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What will the results be?
- If your procalcitonin levels are low or normal, it may mean you are currently at a lower risk of a severe infection. It may also mean that your illness is not because of a bacteria. You may not need to take antibiotics. Your signs are due to some other problem. It may also be that your infection has not been in your body for a very long time. Your doctor may draw another level later on the same day or the next day.
- High procalcitonin levels may mean you have a high chance there is a bacteria causing your illness. You may also be more likely to develop a whole body infection. If your levels are very high, you may have problems with your thyroid gland.
- The doctor will look at the results of your test. The doctor may learn that you have signs of an illness that needs treatment.
- Your doctor may order another test. This will help check a result that is not normal or to learn more about the problems you are having.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
What happens before the procedure?
- You do not need to do anything special for this test.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking
- If you have any bleeding problems
What happens during the procedure?
It will only take a few minutes to have this test. You will be awake the whole time. You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood to see how much procalcitonin is in it. ‚
What happens after the procedure?
- You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
- Put pressure with your other hand where the needle was. This will help with bruising and bleeding.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
What care is needed at home?
Most often this test is done in the hospital or the emergency room. Your care at home will be based on why you need the test. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Together you can make a plan for more care. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Pain
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Infection
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/procalcitonin/tab/glance/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚