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
Understand your full resultPublished: Updated:
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.
How to bring a high Procalcitonin (PCT) down
A raised Procalcitonin (PCT) is not brought down by diet or habits. It reflects something else going on, so what actually helps is finding that cause with a doctor - the value follows once the cause is addressed.
General information, not a treatment plan - decisions about medication or target values belong with your doctor.
Conditions this can relate to
Keep reading
One value is a snapshot. Upload the full test to see every marker explained together.
Upload your test - freeMediora.AI is informational - interpretation, not a diagnosis. A single out-of-range value is common and often benign; always discuss decisions with your doctor.