Lab test
Procalcitonin
What the Test Measures & Uses Purpose: Identifies severe bacterial infections and helps diagnose sepsis, a life-threatening, extreme response to infection. How it Works: In healthy individuals, PCT levels are very low.…
- Sample
- Serum
- Preparation
- No fasting needed
- Report in
- 48 hours
- Collection
- At your home
About this test
What the Test Measures & Uses
- Purpose: Identifies severe bacterial infections and helps diagnose sepsis, a life-threatening, extreme response to infection.
- How it Works: In healthy individuals, PCT levels are very low. When serious bacterial infection occurs, many tissues release high amounts of PCT into the blood.
- Advantage: Unlike white blood cell counts or other markers, PCT specifically rises for bacterial infections, helping to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use for viral illnesses.
- Monitoring: It is frequently used for monitoring treatment response, as levels fall by about 50% per day when a bacterial infection is successfully treated.
Key Considerations
- Result Availability: Results are often available within an hour, making it a rapid, high-value test in hospital emergency departments and ICUs.
- Limitations: While useful for identifying bacterial infection, the test does not identify the specific bacteria responsible. Other causes of increased PCT include severe traumatic trauma, recent surgery, or certain inflammatory conditions.
- Sample Type: A blood sample is required (serum or plasma).
Preparation
- No fasting is needed for this test. You can book any available slot.
- Keep your doctor’s prescription or test request handy if you have one, and take regular medicines as your doctor has advised.
- Tell the sample collector if you take blood thinners, and wear a sleeve that rolls above the elbow.
How home sample collection works
- 1
Choose your tests
Add single tests or a package to the cart and check fasting needs.
- 2
Pick a collection slot
Half-hour slots from 30 minutes ahead, up to 10 days out. Pay online.
- 3
A sample collector visits
They confirm the visit with a one-time code, then take the sample.
- 4
Report in your account
The lab uploads the report and you are notified to download it.
Where we collect samples at home
Lab tests with home sample collection reach 70 Hyderabad pin codes today, across these areas:
- Kachiguda
- LB Nagar
- Ameerpet
- ECIL
- Jubilee Hills
- Neredmet
- Saidabad
- Sanathnagar
- Tolichowki
- Yousufguda
- Amberpet
- Khairatabad
- Kukatpally
- Manikonda
- Nizampet
- Secunderabad
- Tarnaka
- Uppal
- Vanasthalipuram
- Jeedimetla
- Mehdipatnam
- Musheerabad
- Nacharam
- Suchitra
- Trimulgherry
Coverage differs street to street and grows as professionals join. Check your pin code to see what reaches your address.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Procalcitonin cost in Hyderabad?
Procalcitonin costs ₹1,699 on Aish Health in Hyderabad, down from ₹2,699. There is no separate home collection fee; any GST or busy-hour charge is shown before you pay.
Do I need to fast before Procalcitonin?
No, fasting is not needed for this test, so you can book any available slot.
When will I get the Procalcitonin report?
The expected report time is 48 hours. The partner lab uploads the report as a PDF to your order and you are notified to download it.
What sample is collected for Procalcitonin?
Serum sample is collected at your home by a sample collector.
Can I cancel a lab test booking?
Yes. Cancel before a sample collector accepts or more than 1 hour before the slot for a full refund. Within 1 hour of the slot there is no refund, and once the sample collector is on the way the booking can no longer be cancelled.
Can I book tests for a family member?
Yes. Add them as a family member in your account and choose them as the patient when booking, so the report is filed under their name.
Can I pay cash when the sample is collected?
No. Lab tests booked on the website or app are paid online when you book, by card, UPI or your Aish Health wallet.
₹1,699
₹2,69937% off