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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 28 6:49am | Replies (16)
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I was asked on here about my IL-6 testing. I thought I had it done. I looked at the results and it said blood sample not properly submitted. The lab never asked me to sign an ABN. So I assumed they checked it. But others have said its not covered by medicare. Its just a normal blood draw correct? Do you know what makes it uncoverable?
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I have never had IL-6 testing done. It does seem like it could be a useful piece of information if a doctor suspects PMR and considers a biologic like Kevzara or Actemra.
I asked my rheumatologist why he thought Actemra might work for me. He said it was an "educated guess" but he didn't know with any certainty. He also said IL-6 is "implicated" in PMR and GCA but there are other cytokines that are also implicated.
"Key hallmarks associated with PMR, such as painful inflammation, can be attributed, in part, to certain immune cells and cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1, IL-17, IL-10, and TNFα."
https://www.pmrandil6.com/il-6-and-pmr/#:~:text=Key%20hallmarks%20associated%20with%20PMR,IL%2D10%2C%20and%20TNF%CE%B1.