Interleukin 6 Test

The test for Interleukin 6 is often ordered in case of inflammation, injury, or in case of chronic autoimmune diseases including lupus; the test is used to determine the presence of the protein Interleukin 6 in the blood, as this can be an indication that you currently have an inflammatory condition which could be a result of additional health issues such as rheumatoid arthritis or bacterial infection. If you are experiencing sharp discomfort and constant pain in your joints, you would need to consult your physician right away.

Your doctor would first assess your current condition and review your medical profile; it is at this point when you need to inform your doctor about any OTC medication that you might be taking at the moment, to help alleviate your current pain and discomfort. After a review of your current profile, your doctor would recommend the Interleukin 6 test. The test itself is clear-cut; all that is required is for a small amount of blood to be drawn from your vein which is then processed immediately in the hospital laboratory. This test should provide your doctor with a better picture of your current health so that he can make an effective and accurate diagnosis of the same.

This test is mainly used to test for the presence of Interleukin 6 but it is also used additionally as a diagnostic tool in the early detection of several health issues. Some of these are –

• Autoimmune disorders
• Leukemia
• Sepsis
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• lupus

Your doctor would require you to stretch out your arms so that can tie a rubber band around the upper arm and cause your vein to jut out. This should enable him to locate the main vein with ease, after which he will disinfect the area, then apply a local anesthetic; after this, he would move on to draw out a small sample of your blood by using a standard size syringe. The blood is then collected in a specimen cup, sealed and then sent to the lab for processing. A low level of Interleukin 6 is considered to be normal whereas higher amounts is a clear indication of inflammation as well as associated health issues. Your doctor may order additional tests such as joint fluid test, cerebrospinal test to confirm his diagnosis. Post diagnosis, he can provide you with the effective treatment you need for your current condition.