To help evaluate conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease or conditions associated with inflammation such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis or with infection, such as sepsis
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-6
Also Known As
IL-6
Formal Name
Interleukin-6
This article was last reviewed
on
This article waslast modified
on November 5, 2017.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
When To Get Tested?
Not commonly ordered, but may be used when an individual has been diagnosed with or has signs and symptoms associated with one of the conditions listed above
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
None
Accordion Title
Common Questions
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How is it used?
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be used to help evaluate a person who has a condition associated with inflammation, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or with infection, such as sepsis. It may also be used in the evaluation of diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
IL-6 is a cytokine, a protein produced by immune cells that acts on other cells to help regulate and/or promote an immune response. It also stimulates the production of acute phase reactants, proteins that increase in the blood with conditions that cause inflammation or tissue injury.
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When is it ordered?
The IL-6 test is not frequently ordered. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most commonly ordered test to evaluate for inflammation, but IL-6 may be ordered in conjunction with or following a CRP test when a person has signs and symptoms of an inflammatory condition or infection and a health practitioner wants additional information.
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What does the test result mean?
Normally, IL-6 is not detected in the blood or is present in low quantities.
An elevated IL-6 may mean that the person tested has an inflammatory condition. IL-6 is elevated with a variety of conditions and has been associated in some cases with an increased risk of disease development or worsening prognosis. An increase in IL-6 may be seen in conditions such as:
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Is there anything else I should know?
Interleukin-6 may sometimes be measured in other body fluids, such as joint fluid (synovial fluid) and cerebrospinal fluid.
Tocilizumab, a drug that targets the IL-6 receptor and blocks the action of IL-6, is being prescribed to some patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This drug reduces inflammation and slows the progression of joint destruction. Additional drugs that target IL-6 (or other cytokines) are being researched and developed.
The usefulness of the IL-6 test in the medical setting is still being established. Medical researchers are actively studying IL-6 and other cytokines to better understand the normal functions of these proteins within the immune system and their association with a variety of diseases and conditions. The goal is to determine whether IL-6 is causing or contributing to disease states. This will show how it may be used to help in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases. It may be used to help guide treatment or even as a target for the treatment of these conditions.
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Can IL-6 be performed in my doctor's office?
No, and many hospitals do not offer this test. It is most likely that your sample will be sent to a reference laboratory for testing.
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Can I lower my IL-6 level?
Concentrations of IL-6 will decrease with a decrease in inflammation but do not respond to lifestyle changes.
