Specimen:

Serum, Plasma, Amniotic Fluid

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Lavender top tube (EDTA), Pink top tube (EDTA sprayed), Green top tube 
(Na Heparin), Light Green top tube (Lithium Heparin)

Minimum:

Adult preferred minimum: 1 mL serum from red top tube
Adult absolute minimum: 0.5 mL serum from red top tube
Pediatric minimum: 0.3 mL serum from red top tube

Rejection Criteria:

Heat-inactivated, refrigerated, or contaminated specimens.

Delivery Instructions:

Deliver to laboratory immediately after collection.

Specimen
Instructions:

Separate serum/plasma within 30 minutes from cells.

Analytic Time:

4 working days

Reference Range:

< 3.7 pg/mL

Test
Limitations:

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine released by leukocytes in response 
to a number of inciting stimuli. In addition to its role as an acute 
phase reactant and endogenous pyrogen, IL-6 is also involved in B-cell 
differentiation into plasma cells. IL- 6 is usually not detected in 
normal serum, plasma, CSF, or joint fluid. Elevated levels are observed 
in a variety of inflammatory processes, including infections 
(endotoxemia) and collagen vascular diseases. IL-6 is also elevated in 
alcoholic cirrhosis and chronic renal failure. Increased CSF levels 
occur with bacterial meningitis and CNS-lupus, while increased synovial 
fluid levels are associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Elevated levels are observed in a variety of inflammatory processes, 
including infections and collagen vascular diseases.

Methodology:

Chemiluminescent Immunoassay

See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery