Inflammation
Signals of inflammation in the body, from everyday CRP to specialized cytokines.
5 tests explained
Most common tests
Common follow-up tests
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)A simple blood test that shows how fast red blood cells settle in a tube. A faster rate can be a sign of inflammation somewhere in the body.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)A signaling protein your immune system releases early in infection and inflammation. It is ordered in specific situations, not at routine check-ups.
- Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR)A ratio worked out from two white blood cell counts. A higher value is a general sign of stress or inflammation, not a diagnosis.
- Procalcitonin (PCT)A protein that rises in serious bacterial infections. Clinicians use it with other findings, mostly in hospital, to judge severity and guide treatment.