PROCALCITONIN

Procalcitonin is a precursor to the hormone calcitonin, produced primarily by the C cells of the thyroid gland. However, under normal conditions, procalcitonin has very low levels in the blood. Procalcitonin has been found to increase significantly in response to severe bacterial infections, particularly systemic infections, such as sepsis. It is a useful marker for distinguishing between bacterial infections and other causes of inflammation, which can be helpful in the diagnosis and management of severe infections. Elevated levels of procalcitonin can indicate the presence of a severe bacterial infection and are often used to monitor the body's response to antibiotic treatment. However, it is important to note that although procalcitonin is useful, it is not a specific marker and cannot accurately distinguish between different types of infections or identify the exact location of the infection.