Procalcitonin

Message

Chemistry

Test Code

LAB90121

Alias/See Also

PCT
Procal

CPT Codes
84145

Preferred Specimen

Light green top tube (lithium heparin plasma)

Minimum Volume

Whole blood: 700 uL (two full light-green-top microtainers or two full red-top microtainers).

Serum/plasma: 300 uL.

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold top (serum separator tube) or Red Top

Instructions

LAB:If sample is frozen thaw at ambient and centrifuge

Specimen Stability

Up to 24 hrs at Room Temperature
48 hrs Refrigerated
2 months Frozen

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly Hemolyzed, contaminated, not enough volume

Methodology
Immunometric/Chemiluminescense

Setup Schedule

Everyday

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

<0.05 ng/mL
Interpretation included with report.

Clinical Significance

Procalcitonin levels rise rapidly within 6–12 hours after an infectious bacterial insult. The magnitude of the increase in plasma procalcitonin concentration correlates with the severity of the bacterial infection with concentrations above defined cutoffs to indicate clinically relevant bacterial infection, requiring antibiotic treatment.

Performing Laboratory
HHNB and HHI Chemistry

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.