Procalcitonin

Test Name

Procalcitonin

Type Specimen

Lithium Heparin, Plasma preferred (Green top tube)

LIS Code

PCT

Availability

24/7

Lab Section

Chemistry

Fluid Type

Whole blood

Container Whole Blood Required

1 mL Lithium Heparin, Plasma preferred (Green top tube)

Summary Test Name

Procalcitonin

Specimen Preparation Outreach

Centrifuge and send to lab

Specimen Stability

Stable for 24 hours at 15-25°C, 48 hours at 2-8°C, 3 months at -20 +/- 5°C. Freeze only once.

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Stat Availability

7 days per week, 24 hours per day

Preferred Volume

1 full green top tube

Reference Value

 <0.08 ng/mL