Interleukin-6 - IL6DX

IL-6 is a cytokine produced by immune-system cells (such as macrophages, endothelial cells, and T cells) and acts as a key signal in both the innate and adaptive immune response. When tissue damage, infection, or inflammation occurs, IL-6 levels can rapidly rise, triggering acute-phase proteins like CRP and fibrinogen.

This test measures the concentration of IL-6 in serum and is useful for evaluating conditions such as chronic inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease), infection or sepsis, and severe inflammatory responses including those seen in intensive-care settings (such as the cytokine storm in COVID-19).