Summary
| Direction in ME/CFS | ↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Also described as | Anti-inflammatory cytokine |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Immune regulation |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| LOINC code | 26862-5 |
| Source | Corbitt et al. 2019 — doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.008 |
| Condition atlas | ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is reported
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Long COVID — ↕ inconsistent vs HC, R
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Lyme Disease — ↑ elevated vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) across conditions.
Trials, interventions and tests
Commercial test availability
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) — specialty laboratory test. Quest offers IL-10 within Cytokine Panel 13; LabCorp offers standalone serum IL-10.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Inflammatory markers in ME/CFS
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) ↕
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ↕
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) ↕
- Leptin ↑
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) ↕
- Resistin ↕
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) ↑
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) ↑
Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) high or low in ME/CFS?
Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in ME/CFS compared with healthy controls, so no single direction is established. Source: Corbitt et al. 2019.
What symptoms is Interleukin-10 (IL-10) associated with in ME/CFS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Immune regulation. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Interleukin-10 (IL-10)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). The standard laboratory code is LOINC 26862-5. Commercial laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal Interleukin-10 (IL-10) result diagnostic of ME/CFS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) 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-10 (IL-10) specific to ME/CFS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID, Lyme Disease 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.