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26050 Interleukin-6 (IL6)

Interleukin-6 (IL6)
Test Code: FIL6SSO
Useful For

​Evaluation of patients with suspected systemic infection

Evaluation of patients with suspected localized infection, specifically prosthetic joint infection (PJI)

Evaluation of patients with suspected chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​ ​Plasma EDTA ​Lavender Top Tube (LTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.3 mL ​
Collection Processing Instructions

1. Immediately after drawing the specimen, place the tube on wet ice.

2. Spin down and separate plasma from cells; 1,500 x g for 10 minutes at 4 degrees C.

3. Freeze specimen within 30 minutes

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Plasma EDTA ​ ​Frozen (preferred) ​21 days
​Refrigerated ​24 hours
Rejection Criteria

​Gross hemolysis

Specimens other than EDTA plasma

Interference
IL-6 has limited stability. Following centrifugation, plasma must be either immediately frozen or refrigerated. Samples can only be stored at refrigerated temperatures for 24 hours, after which time samples must be frozen. Storage of plasma for any length of time at room temperature is not acceptable.
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Thursday 1 day ​Electrochemiluminescence
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Mayo Medical Laboratories ​< or = 1.8 pg/mL
Interpretation
​​IL-6 is a nonspecific marker associated with an inflammatory response, and is not diagnostic for any specific disease or disease process. Elevated concentrations of IL-6 must be interpreted within the clinical context of the patient.
 
Normal concentrations of IL-6 do not exclude the possibility of an ongoing inflammatory process.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​83520 ​ ​1 ​ ​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Interleukin-6 I(L-6), Serum (IL6S)
​Cerner ​Interleukin-6 I(L-6), Serum (IL6S)
​Clinical Order Manager ​Interleukin-6 I(L-6), Serum (IL6S)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​ ​Plasma EDTA ​Lavender Top Tube (LTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.3 mL ​
Collection Processing

1. Immediately after drawing the specimen, place the tube on wet ice.

2. Spin down and separate plasma from cells; 1,500 x g for 10 minutes at 4 degrees C.

3. Freeze specimen within 30 minutes

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Plasma EDTA ​ ​Frozen (preferred) ​21 days
​Refrigerated ​24 hours
Rejection Criteria

​Gross hemolysis

Specimens other than EDTA plasma

Interference
IL-6 has limited stability. Following centrifugation, plasma must be either immediately frozen or refrigerated. Samples can only be stored at refrigerated temperatures for 24 hours, after which time samples must be frozen. Storage of plasma for any length of time at room temperature is not acceptable.
Useful For

​Evaluation of patients with suspected systemic infection

Evaluation of patients with suspected localized infection, specifically prosthetic joint infection (PJI)

Evaluation of patients with suspected chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, or inflammatory bowel disease
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Mayo Medical Laboratories ​< or = 1.8 pg/mL
Interpretation
​​IL-6 is a nonspecific marker associated with an inflammatory response, and is not diagnostic for any specific disease or disease process. Elevated concentrations of IL-6 must be interpreted within the clinical context of the patient.
 
Normal concentrations of IL-6 do not exclude the possibility of an ongoing inflammatory process.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Thursday 1 day ​Electrochemiluminescence
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​83520 ​ ​1 ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.