Individual test · Labcorp 140916

Interleukin-6, Serum

This test measures the level of Interleukin-6, a protein produced by your immune system to signal inflammation. It helps doctors assess the severity of an inflammatory response, particularly to determine if a patient with an infection like COVID-19 is at risk for needing a mechanical ventilator. This measurement assists in distinguishing between a standard immune response and a severe, potentially dangerous systemic reaction. However, a low result does not guarantee that a disease will not get worse, and the test cannot diagnose a specific infection on its own.