Interleukin 6 Test (IL 6 Blood Test)

Interleukin 6 test (IL-6 blood test)

It is a specific blood test that measures interleukin 6 levels in blood. Interleukin 6 is also known as IL 6. IL 6 is a type of pro-inflammatory cytokine. Which plays critical role in both innate and adaptive immunity. It is secreted by various types of cells such as macrophages cells and endothelial cells. Cytokines are type of molecules that helps in signalling the cells during immune response and thus stimulate movement of cells at site of inflammation, infection and injury. IL-6 is secreted during various types of inflammation, infections, autoimmune disorders, and some types of cancers.

The various roles of IL- 6 are:

• It causes fever during various infections, autoimmune disease and chronic diseases
• It is secreted during various acute and chronic inflammatory conditions such as injuries, burns, cancers, and infections
• It helps in release of acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein which activate innate immunity and thus reduce tissue damage
• It may cause severe inflammatory response in infections such as COVID -19 that may damage different organs including lungs. This response is also called as cytokine storm

A high level of IL 6 is seen in various conditions such as:

• Infections
• Sepsis
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Stroke
• Autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus etc

Why is interleukin 6 test prescribed?

Your health care provider may prescribe this test in various conditions such as following:

• Acute infections such as viral, bacterial etc
• Chronic infections
• Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus etc
• Some cancers such as leukemia, multiple myeloma

IL 6 is a non-specific marker which increases in above mentioned conditions. Hence its high levels must be correlated with clinical condition of the patient. Its level helps to know the prognosis as well as response to treatment.

Procedure and prerequisites

The sample for interleukin 6 test is taken from blood by inserting a small needle into vein of your arm. A small volume of blood (about 1ml) is then collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel some pain due to needle prick. No particular preparations are needed for this test.

Biological Reference Interval (Reference range)

Normal values-less than 5 pg/ml

Elevated levels of IL-6 must be interpreted within clinical context of the patient.

Caution: IL-6 has limited stability. Specimens after centrifugation can be stored refrigerated for 24hours; frozen for 7 Days.