Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α)
A central inflammatory cytokine that drives the body's inflammatory and immune responses.
Consider this test if:
- Working up a known or suspected chronic inflammatory or autoimmune condition with a clinician
- Investigating systemic mastocytosis or mast cell activation alongside histamine and tryptase
- Researching cytokine activity in the context of severe infection or inflammatory lung injury
- Building a detailed inflammatory profile beyond standard markers like hs-CRP
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 3-7 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
No fasting is required. This is a frozen-serum assay with strict handling: the sample must be processed promptly and frozen, since leaving serum on the clot too long can falsely raise TNF-α levels. Acute infection or active inflammation at the time of the draw will elevate the result.
Video consult with your Care Team
A 1:1 call to discuss your health.
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What this test is for
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a signaling protein that orchestrates inflammation and immune defense, producing the classic signs of inflammation: heat, swelling, redness, and pain. It is one of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is why TNF-blocking biologics are among the most widely used drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Elevated levels reflect active inflammation and have been linked to severe infection, acute lung injury, asthma and atopic dermatitis, systemic mastocytosis, and worse outcomes in severe COVID-19. TNF-α is a research and specialty marker rather than a routine screening test, and a single value is interpreted alongside the clinical picture and other inflammatory markers, since cytokines act in overlapping cascades. It is most often ordered when evaluating a defined inflammatory or immune-mediated condition rather than as a general wellness check.
- Specimen
- Serum or plasma
- Measures
- Mass concentration
What you'll learn
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Insights that connect the dots. A clinician reads your whole picture, not one result in isolation, connecting family history, past results, and lifestyle into clear next steps.
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Your personalized action plan. Nutrition, supplements, and training in one clinician-reviewed protocol, updated as your results change.
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Track your trends. Upload results from any lab and see each biomarker trend over time, so you know what is working.
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Never miss a recheck. Mito tells you what is worth retesting and when, then reminds you so nothing slips.
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 3-7 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.
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
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Without membership
$0
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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. It is never a profit on the test itself. Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9 per month, and any applicable lab order or draw fee is itemized before you pay.
Where do I get tested?
Choose an available partner lab at checkout. If your cart contains multiple blood tests, Mito helps consolidate the eligible tests at one lab when possible. At-home kits and scans follow the collection or appointment process shown on their product page.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. Eligible tests can be paid for with an HSA or FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results appear in your Mito dashboard after the laboratory completes processing. A clinician then reviews them before your analysis and personalized action plan are finalized. Timing varies by test, and specialty assays and at-home kits may take longer.
Do I need a physician's order?
No. Mito provides the laboratory order when one is required, so you do not need to arrange a separate physician visit before purchasing.
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