Interleukin 6 serum test

INTERLEUKIN 6 SERUM TEST

DESCRIPTION – recently in the ongoing pandemic, IL-6 test has been a frequently ordered test to evaluate and monitor the immune reaction in COVID-19 patients. The interleukin test measures the amount of IL6 in the blood. Interleukin 6 is one among the large group of molecules called cytokines

METHODOLOGY – quantitative multiplex bead assay

TURN AROUND TIME – 1-4 days

SPECIMEN REQUIERED –

COLLECT – serum separator tube or plain red

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 ml of serum to transport tube

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – critical frozen

STABILITY – ambient: 30 minutes; frozen: 1 year

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – refrigerated, contaminated or heat inactivated specimens.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory