Summary
| Direction in ME/CFS | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Also described as | Pro-inflammatory cytokine |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Immune activation, fatigue |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| LOINC code | 26864-3 |
| Source | Corbitt et al. 2019 — doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.008 |
| Condition atlas | ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) is reported
- Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in Gulf War Illness — ↑ elevated vs HGV
- Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC, R
See the cross-condition hub: Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) across conditions.
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Interleukin-1 (IL-1) (3 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) as an outcome
- NCT07278206: Brain Stimulation in Long COVID (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) - NCT06064838: Effects of Cacao Flavonoids in Long COVID-19 Patients (FLALOC) (Completed)
Outcome measure: Interleukin-1b - NCT01742013: Investigator Initiated Clinical Study to Explore the Efficacy and Safety of Human Placenta Hydrolysate in the Chronic Fatigue Patients (Completed)
Outcome measure: Change in the concentration of interleukin-6 and interleukin 1b
Interventions studied alongside this marker
Hypothesis-generating links from trial outcome usage and literature co-occurrence. Not treatment recommendations.
- Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Neuroimmune Mechanisms and Emerging Intervention Strategies for Post-Stroke Fatigue: A Narrative Review.
Commercial test availability
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) — specialty laboratory test. Specialty cytokine panel; not all sites offer standalone IL-1.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Inflammatory markers in ME/CFS
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) ↑
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) ↕
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) ↕
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) ↕
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) ↕
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ↕
- Leptin ↑
- Resistin ↕
Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) high or low in ME/CFS?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) in ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Source: Corbitt et al. 2019.
What symptoms is Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) associated with in ME/CFS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Immune activation, fatigue. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). The standard laboratory code is LOINC 26864-3. Commercial laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics, ARUP Laboratories list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) result diagnostic of ME/CFS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) specific to ME/CFS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, Long COVID in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from me-cfs.json · Browse: ME/CFS atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.