Summary
| Direction in Migraine | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Other |
| Compared against | headache-free controls |
| Source | Empl et al. 2003 — doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.2003.00453.x |
| Condition atlas | Migraine Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is reported
- Interleukin-6 in Atrial Fibrillation — ↕ inconsistent vs AF patients vs. implied healthy/reference
- Interleukin-6 in Epilepsy — ↑ elevated vs not explicitly named (comparison implied by disease state vs. normal/control)
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Gulf War Illness — ↑ elevated vs HGV
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC, R
- IL-6 in Low Back Pain — ↑ elevated vs chronic nonspecific LBP vs asymptomatic controls
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Lyme Disease — ↑ elevated vs HC
- IL-6 in Major Depressive Disorder — ↑ elevated vs females with depression vs healthy female controls
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in ME/CFS — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
- IL-6 in PACVS — ↑ elevated vs HC
- IL-6 in Rheumatoid Arthritis — ↑ elevated vs RA vs healthy (established inflammatory pathway/drug target)
See the cross-condition hub: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) across conditions.
Related Other markers in Migraine
- Homocysteine ↑
- Glutamate ↑
- Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP-38) ↕
- Serotonin ↓
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D ↓
- Serum Ferritin ↓
Full list: Migraine Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Interleukin-6 high or low in Migraine?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Interleukin-6 in Migraine than in headache-free controls. Source: Empl et al. 2003.
Which test measures Interleukin-6?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for Interleukin-6, which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal Interleukin-6 result diagnostic of Migraine?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Migraine. Interleukin-6 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-6 specific to Migraine?
No. The same marker is also reported in Atrial Fibrillation, Epilepsy, Gulf War Illness, Long COVID, Low Back Pain, Lyme Disease, ME/CFS, Major Depressive Disorder, PACVS, Rheumatoid Arthritis 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: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from migraine.json · Browse: Migraine 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.