Procalcitonin: Is a precursor of calcitonin

Procalcitonin is a precursor of calcitonin, a hormone involved in calcium homeostasis. It is produced by thyroid and other cells, and its level rises in response to bacterial infections. It can help diagnose and guide antibiotic therapy for various types of infections. A procalcitonin test measures the level of procalcitonin in your blood. A high level may be a sign of sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Learn more. Procalcitonin (PCT), regarded as a biomarker specific for bacterial infections, is used in a variety of clinical settings including primary care, emergency department and intensive care. PCT measurement aids in the diagnosis of sepsis and to guide ... Procalcitonin (PCT) has a set half-life of 20 to 24 hours which provides clinicians and researchers with a rough timeline of when levels should begin to decrease following physiological control of the systemic infection. When physiologic control is reached, PCT should decrease by approximately 50% over 24 hours. [10]