Interleukin-22 blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

IL-22 is made by several immune cells, including Th17 and Th22 cells and innate lymphoid cells. Unusually for a cytokine, it acts mainly on tissue cells rather than other immune cells, prompting the lining of the gut, skin and lungs to make protective mucus and antimicrobial proteins and to repair after injury. It can therefore be protective, but too much has been linked to skin thickening in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

IL-22 has been studied in inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, eczema and liver disease, but blood levels are not used in routine NHS care. It has limited value as a stand-alone screen, so it is best read as a specialist marker alongside established tests and an assessment by a clinician.

The price includes your sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a review of your result with an Omnia practitioner, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have an inflammatory skin or gut condition and a specialist has requested IL-22.
• You are exploring immune signalling markers with a practitioner as part of a wider review.
• You are following up a previous cytokine result.
• You want clear information on what this research marker can tell you before discussing next steps.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your IL-22 level and the laboratory reference range. Raised levels have been described in active psoriasis, eczema and some gut conditions, but they can also rise with infection or tissue injury, so the result cannot point to one diagnosis.

Your practitioner will discuss any unexpected reading in plain terms and explain that it is a cue for further thought, not a diagnosis. If your symptoms suggest inflammatory bowel disease, such as blood in the stool or ongoing diarrhoea, a calprotectin test and a GP review are the established next steps.

Preparing for your test

You can eat and drink as usual before an IL-22 test. Let us know if you use biological treatments, steroids or immunosuppressants, or if you have had a recent flare of a skin or gut condition, because these affect how the reading is interpreted.

If bowel symptoms are part of your picture, Calprotectin is an established marker of gut inflammation. IL-22 also features in Omnia Signature. See the full list of every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is an Interleukin-22 test in Chiswick?

An Interleukin-22 test costs £129 at Omnia Lifestyle. It includes your blood sample at our Chiswick clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Is IL-22 good or bad?

It can be both. IL-22 helps tissues heal and resist infection, but persistently high levels may contribute to some inflammatory skin conditions.

Can IL-22 diagnose Crohn disease or colitis?

No. Inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed through clinical assessment, stool tests such as calprotectin, blood tests and endoscopy.

Who is this test suitable for?

It suits people whose specialist or practitioner has a specific reason to measure it. It is not a general screen for healthy people.