🔥 Inflammatory Marker Interpretation
Interpretation and common cut-offs for CRP/ESR, procalcitonin and ferritin — all non-specific and requiring clinical correlation. Browser-side reference.
All inflammatory markers are non-specific.
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When to use
Use the trend rather than single values; PCT supports antibiotic stewardship and ferritin doubles as an acute-phase reactant.
How it works
PCT: < 0.25 argues against bacterial (lower respiratory), > 0.5 possible sepsis, > 2 high-risk. CRP half-life ≈ 19 h.
Key points
- All inflammatory markers are non-specific.
- PCT supports stewardship but is not a standalone decision.
- Ferritin is both an iron-store marker and an acute-phase reactant — interpret with CRP/TSAT.
- Very high ferritin: consider adult Still disease or HLH (HScore).
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| View | CRP/ESR |
|---|
→InterpretationCRP / ESR
- CRP：Acute-phase, responds fast (half-life ≈ 19 h); often higher in bacterial infection; the trend beats a single value
- ESR：Rises slowly, affected by anaemia/globulins; used to follow rheumatic disease/PMR/GCA
- Cue：Both are non-specific — correlate clinically
| View | Ferritin |
|---|
→InterpretationFerritin
- Iron deficiency：↓ (< 15–30 strongly suggestive)
- Elevation：Acute-phase reactant: rises with inflammation/liver disease/malignancy
- Very high：> several thousand in adult Still disease, haemophagocytic syndrome (HLH, use the HScore)
Frequently asked questions
- What is Inflammatory Marker Interpretation?
- Interpretation and common cut-offs for CRP/ESR, procalcitonin and ferritin — all non-specific and requiring clinical correlation. Browser-side reference.
- How is Inflammatory Marker Interpretation calculated? What is the core formula?
- PCT: < 0.25 argues against bacterial (lower respiratory), > 0.5 possible sepsis, > 2 high-risk. CRP half-life ≈ 19 h.
- When is Inflammatory Marker Interpretation used?
- Use the trend rather than single values; PCT supports antibiotic stewardship and ferritin doubles as an acute-phase reactant.
- What are the key clinical points for Inflammatory Marker Interpretation?
- All inflammatory markers are non-specific. PCT supports stewardship but is not a standalone decision. Ferritin is both an iron-store marker and an acute-phase reactant — interpret with CRP/TSAT. Very high ferritin: consider adult Still disease or HLH (HScore).
- What are the limits and cautions when using Inflammatory Marker Interpretation?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Inflammatory Marker Interpretation calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: View CRP/ESR → Result: Interpretation CRP / ESR（CRP: Acute-phase, responds fast (half-life ≈ 19 h); often higher in bacterial infection; the trend beats a single value, ESR: Rises slowly, affected by anaemia/globulins; used to follow rheumatic disease/PMR/GCA, Cue: Both are non-specific — correlate clinically） Inputs: View Ferritin → Result: Interpretation Ferritin（Iron deficiency: ↓ (< 15–30 strongly suggestive), Elevation: Acute-phase reactant: rises with inflammation/liver disease/malignancy, Very high: > several thousand in adult Still disease, haemophagocytic syndrome (HLH, use the HScore)）