Acute and Chronic Inflammation Marker - Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Test

This laboratory test measures the concentration of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in blood serum or other body fluids. IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine produced by macrophages, B cells, T cells, and stromal cells in response to injury or infection. It plays a pivotal role in the acute inflammatory response (where it stimulates the production of acute-phase proteins such as CRP), immune regulation, and hematopoiesis. Its levels are used to assess the severity of systemic inflammation in sepsis, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and to monitor treatment with IL-6 inhibitors.