Not every value is measured every time we give blood for a standard complete blood count. PCT is also not always a measured value. The PCT test is similar to the classical blood test, but it is used to measure the level of procalcitonin in the blood. According to the high and low PCT value, the occurrence of infection in the person and, more importantly, the spread of the infection is evaluated.
Even if we only look at this basic definition, we see that the PCT value is of vital importance for our health. For this reason, conditions such as height and low should be taken seriously and the treatment methods applied by the physician should be followed. Do not worry and follow the doctor’s recommendations. Let’s take a closer look at the questions like what is PCT and how many should it be.
First, let’s understand the situation well; What is PCT?
PCT is the value of procalcitonin in the blood obtained after a standard complete blood count or a separate PCT test. Procalcitonin is a type of protein and consists of 116 different amino acids. Although there is much more to be said about procalcitonin, which is also a kind of pro-hormone, the main detail to know is that it is an infection marker.
Why and when is the PCT test done?
- In suspected meningitis
- In urinary tract infections
- In suspicion of sepsis that the infection has spread to the body
- In kidney infections
- Shock diagnosis and risk assessment
- While following antibiotic treatments
- Monitoring antibacterial treatments
- In suspicion of secondary infection that may occur after surgery
- To distinguish between inflammation and infection
In general, these are the cases where the PCT test is applied to the patient. While the PCT value increases in fungal and bacterial infections, it does not increase in viral infections. The PCT value is extremely important, especially in the case of sepsis where the infection spreads throughout the body.
The PCT test is done with a sample taken from the arm, just like the blood tests we know. Hunger is not important. The PCT value starts to rise a few hours after the infection starts in the body, but it also starts to decrease as soon as healing begins. Therefore, it is immediately clear whether a special treatment should be applied or not.
What should be the ideal PCT value?
- Between 0 and 0.05 ug/L is considered normal.
- More than 0.5 ug/L is of little low risk.
- Between 0.5 and 2 ug/L there is a possibility of sepsis.
- Between 2 and 10 ug/L is seen as a moderate to high risk of sepsis.
- If it is 10 ug / L and above, the high risk of sepsis is certain.
What is low PCT, what does it mean?
There is actually no medical condition called low PCT. It is desired that the PCT value in your blood is already as low as possible or even zero. Because a low PCT value is an indication that there is no or very little infection in your blood. So if your PCT is low, you have nothing to worry about.
What is the PCT height of concern, what does it mean?
- Burn
- Meningitis
- Operation
- cardiogenic shock
- Pancreatic inflammation
- tissue rejection
- heart inflammation
- Urinary tract infection
- Tumor infections
- Decreased oxygen level in the blood
- asthma disease
- COPD disease
- Pneumonia
- living at high altitude
- cardiac arrest
- Circulatory failure
- thyroid cancer
- Medicines that strengthen the immune system
Here are some of the conditions and diseases that cause PCT elevation in general. A high PCT value in the blood is a sign of infection. In cases where the risk is higher than low, sepsis, where the infection spreads to the body, may be suspected.
Of course, don’t be alarmed if your PCT is too high. In most cases, it is possible to reduce it quickly with simple interventions, as instantaneous increases may occur. It is often done together with different tests. However, never forget that the PCT value is a value that must be taken seriously.
Some of the symptoms that indicate a high PCT value are:
- High fever
- Headache
- Sweating
- Palpitation
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle and joint pain
- low blood pressure
- chest pain
- cough with phlegm
- burning while urinating
These are some of the symptoms seen in cases where the PCT value, which increases with the formation of infection due to many different reasons, is high. Symptoms and intensities may vary depending on where the infection occurs and the type of bacteria. If you explain the symptoms to your doctor in detail, it will be easier to find where the infection occurred.
What kind of treatment is applied at PCT height?
According to the patient’s complaints and examination results, if the physician suspects an infection, he or she requests a PCT test. If the PCT value is high, a culture test can be done. Antibiotic treatment can be started depending on the type of bacterial infection. In cases such as abscess formation, surgical intervention may be required. Since the PCT value may increase due to different tumors and chronic diseases, an appropriate treatment can be followed. Your doctor will make the final decision.
So what should we do, when should we go to the doctor?
If we look at all what we have said, I think none of us go to the doctor with the suspicion that my PCT value has increased. The infection that increases the PCT value will show itself with many symptoms. For this reason, you should know yourself well and go to the doctor in such a suspicious situation. It would be best to go for control as soon as possible, especially in chronic symptoms.
We answered questions such as what is the PCT value that shows whether there is an infection in our blood, what should it be, what does its low and high mean. What we describe is for informational purposes only. Do not forget that you should get the most accurate and specific information about the PCT value from a specialist physician, as in all health issues.
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