From the Research
High interleukin levels can potentially cause elevated D-dimer readings, as evidenced by the most recent study in 2022 1. This is because interleukins are inflammatory cytokines that play a crucial role in the body's immune response. When interleukin levels are elevated, particularly IL-6 and IL-8, they can trigger a cascade of inflammatory reactions that activate the coagulation system. Some key points to consider include:
- The inflammatory state promotes both clot formation and subsequent fibrinolysis (the breakdown of blood clots), which results in increased D-dimer levels in the bloodstream.
- D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product that serves as a marker of both clot formation and dissolution.
- This relationship is particularly evident in conditions like severe infections, COVID-19, and inflammatory disorders where both interleukins and D-dimer are often simultaneously elevated, as noted in a study from 2022 2.
- The connection between these markers reflects the close interplay between inflammation and coagulation pathways in the body, with inflammation promoting a pro-thrombotic state that ultimately leads to elevated D-dimer levels as clots form and break down, a concept also discussed in a study from 2022 1. It's also worth noting that extremely elevated D-dimer levels are uniquely associated with severe disease, mainly including VTE, sepsis, and/or cancer, as found in a study from 2016 3. However, the most recent and highest quality study from 2022 1 provides the most relevant evidence for the relationship between interleukin levels and D-dimer readings.