Indicator Explainer
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-6 (212 aa, ~24 kDa) is encoded by the human IL6 gene. This protein is involved in signaling affecting a wide variety of cell types including monocytes, lymphocytes, hepatocytes and nerve cells.
This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.
When it is tested
Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C20451. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-19. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Reading results
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also Known As
References
- NCI Thesaurus 26.09d — Interleukin-6 (C20451)
- Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C20451. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0.
- ALBI-6-A Novel Prognostic Score Combining ALBI and Interleukin-6 in Patients With HCC Treated With Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab. — Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 2026-10-08 (PMID 42850750; literature)
- Tear interleukin-6 and clinical activity in thyroid eye disease. — Biomol Biomed, 2026-10-08 (PMID 42848915; literature)
- Interleukin-6 as a prognostic biomarker in repatocellular carcinoma treated with systemic therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. — Future Oncol, 2026-10-13 (PMID 42870428; literature)
- Patients with cyclops syndrome exhibit elevated synovial fluid interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and disorganized collagen remodelling within the lesion: A histological and molecular study. — J Exp Orthop, 2026-10-17 (PMID 42893231; literature)
- Serum Profiles of Pembrolizumab, Cardiac Troponin T, and Interleukin-6 in a Plasma Exchange-Treated Patient With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Myocarditis. — Ther Drug Monit, 2026-10-29 (PMID 42956192; literature)
- Label‑Free Optical Biosensing of Interleukin‑6, Procalcitonin, and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein as Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease: A Review. — Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2026-10-28 (PMID 42949114; literature)