Lab marker · High

High Procalcitonin (PCT): what it means

A Procalcitonin (PCT) result above the normal range is considered high. Here is what a raised Procalcitonin (PCT) can point to, and when it is worth discussing with a doctor.

Reference range: <0.1 healthy; 0.1–0.25 mild; 0.25–0.5 watch; >0.5 likely bacterial sepsis

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What a high Procalcitonin (PCT) can mean

  • >0.5 ng/mL — bacterial infection likely; >2 strongly suggests sepsis.
  • >10 ng/mL — severe sepsis or septic shock — emergency.
  • Major surgery / trauma — transient PCT rise in first 24–48 h without infection.
  • End-stage renal disease — mildly elevated baseline (clearance reduced).
  • Some neuroendocrine tumours (medullary thyroid cancer) — chronic elevation.

When to discuss with a doctor

PCT is an inpatient / emergency marker, not a routine outpatient panel. A PCT >0.5 on a discharged patient's report should be reviewed by the prescribing clinician within 24 h — most often it reflects an infection that's already on antibiotics. Mediora.AI flags the value with its bacterial-sepsis threshold; do not stop or start antibiotics based on PCT alone.

Conditions this can relate to

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Mediora.AI is informational - interpretation, not a diagnosis. A single out-of-range value is common and often benign; always discuss decisions with your doctor.