Interleukin 8

Elevated IL-8 levels might mean that your body is working extra hard to deal with inflammation or an infection. IL-8 is like a traffic cop for your immune system, guiding white blood cells to where they're needed most. High levels could be a sign that your body is fighting off a bacterial infection, healing from an injury, or dealing with chronic inflammation. Certain medications (like steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), stress, or lifestyle factors might also cause higher IL-8 levels. In some cases, high IL-8 levels could be linked to specific conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms of high levels of IL-8 may not be directly noticeable as this protein primarily functions internally within the immune system. However, general signs of inflammation or infection such as fatigue, fever, pain, or redness could potentially be observed.

Low IL-8 levels might mean that your immune system isn't working as well as it should be. IL-8 is like a traffic cop for your body's defense team, guiding immune cells to places where they're needed most, such as areas with inflammation or infection. When IL-8 levels are below normal, it could be a sign that your immune system isn't responding as effectively as it should. This might be due to various factors, like ongoing stress, not eating well, not getting enough sleep, or taking certain medications that can weaken your immune system. Some specific conditions that could be linked to low IL-8 levels include chronic fatigue syndrome and certain autoimmune disorders. Keep in mind that IL-8 is just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to understanding your overall immune health.

Symptoms of low levels of IL-8 might not be easily noticeable, as they can be quite general and overlap with many other conditions. However, they could include frequent infections, prolonged recovery times from illness or injury, and potentially, unexplained fatigue.