Natural Killer Cells (NK Cells) Panel
A frontline immune cell count tied to viral defense and recurrent infections.
Consider this test if:
- Recurrent, prolonged, or unusually severe viral infections
- Investigating a suspected immune deficiency alongside other lymphocyte subsets
- Tracking immune-cell counts during or after immunosuppressive therapy
- Persistent infections that standard bloodwork has not explained
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Results delivered to your dashboard · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
No fasting required. A recent acute infection, significant physical or emotional stress, and immunosuppressive or steroid medications can shift NK cell counts, so note any current illness or medications. For tracking over time, sampling under similar conditions makes results more comparable.
Video consult with your Care Team
A 1:1 call to discuss your health.
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What this test is for
Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte that attacks virus-infected and abnormal cells without needing prior exposure, making them part of the body's first line of immune defense. This panel uses flow cytometry to measure NK cells both as an absolute count and as a percentage of total lymphocytes, identified by their CD3-/CD16+/CD56+ surface markers. Low NK cell numbers are linked to greater susceptibility to viral infections, including cytomegalovirus and varicella, and are often investigated in people with frequent or unusually severe infections. The result is read alongside a broader immune workup, since NK counts shift with acute illness, recent infection, and immunosuppressive medication. It is most useful when recurrent infections or a suspected immune deficiency need objective immune-cell data rather than a one-off explanation.
Biomarkers tested
Includes 3 biomarkers
- Specimen
- Whole blood
- Measures
- Number concentration
- Specimen
- Whole blood
- Measures
- Number fraction (%)
- Specimen
- Whole blood
- Method
- Automated cell count
- Measures
- Number concentration
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 Fast, dashboard-delivered results
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.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
Mito Membership
$9 /mo
cancel anytime
Without membership
$0
pay as you go
At-cost pricing on labs, scans, and more
Priority turnaround on your results
On-demand clinician consults when you need guidance
Personalized action plans across supplements, exercise, nutrition, and sleep
AI health coaching to help you act on your results
Year-round medical support, with in-chat clinician escalation
All your health records in one personal vault, with trends and biological age tracking
Early access to new diagnostics and product releases
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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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