Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
A central inflammatory cytokine that rises sharply in severe inflammation and infection.
Consider this test if:
- Assessing the severity of inflammation in a confirmed serious infection
- Investigating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Tracking an unexplained systemic inflammatory picture alongside other markers
- Following up an elevated CRP with a more upstream inflammatory signal
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 2-4 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
No fasting is required. Recent infection, injury, vigorous exercise, or acute illness can raise IL-6, so timing matters when interpreting results. The specimen requires strict handling (serum kept frozen), which is managed by the collecting lab.
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What this test is for
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that drives the acute phase response, fever, and immune activation, and it is one of the body's primary signals of active inflammation. Elevated IL-6 reflects an ongoing inflammatory process and is seen in infection, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, certain tumors, and cytokine release syndromes, including severe COVID-19 where markedly high levels correlate with worse outcomes. In one study of apparently healthy people, the upper reference limit was around 7 pg/mL, so values are read against the clinical context rather than as a fixed cutoff. IL-6 is more dynamic than hs-CRP, which it actually triggers; IL-6 rises first and CRP follows. For routine cardiovascular or general inflammation screening, hs-CRP is usually the more practical marker, while IL-6 is reserved for assessing the intensity of an acute or severe inflammatory response.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 2-4 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
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Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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