The Cellular Inflammation & NF-KB Control Panel panel contains 6 tests with 6 biomarkers .

Overview

Inflammation is your body’s natural defense mechanism—but when it becomes chronic and uncontrolled, it silently damages tissues, accelerates aging, and contributes to nearly every major health condition.

At the heart of this process lies NF-κB (Nuclear Factor kappa-B), a master regulatory protein often called the “on switch” for inflammation. When NF-κB remains active, it triggers the release of pro-inflammatory molecules that can erode blood vessels, joints, and even brain cells over time.

The Cellular Inflammation & NF-κB Control Panel from Ulta Lab Tests measures five powerful biomarkers that reflect your body’s inflammatory activity and vascular health. These tests give you a clear snapshot of whether your immune system is in balance—or if chronic inflammation may be putting you at risk.

Why This Panel Matters

Most people living with chronic inflammation have no obvious symptoms until the damage is advanced. By identifying inflammatory patterns early, you can:

• Take action before disease develops. Detect early warning signs of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or neurodegenerative changes.
• Personalize your prevention plan. Adjust diet, exercise, supplements, or medications based on measurable feedback.
• Track your progress. Monitor how lifestyle changes, anti-inflammatory diets, or therapies are affecting your health over time.
• Understand root causes. Distinguish between inflammation driven by nutrient imbalance, oxidative stress, or immune dysregulation.

Tests Included in This Panel 

Clinical Applications and Benefits

These tests work together to provide a powerful view of how your body manages inflammation:

• Cardiovascular Health: hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and homocysteine reflect how inflammation affects arteries, endothelial function, and clot risk.
• Immune & Autoimmune Monitoring: ESR and ferritin can help uncover underlying autoimmune activity or chronic infections.
• Metabolic Wellness: Elevated inflammatory markers often precede insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
• Longevity Insights: NF-κB activity and “inflammaging” contribute to tissue breakdown and accelerated biological aging. Regular testing helps you stay ahead of these processes.

How to Use Your Results

1. Baseline: Start with this panel to establish your personal inflammation profile.
2. Intervention: Work with your healthcare provider to implement anti-inflammatory strategies such as:
   • Diets rich in omega-3s, polyphenols, and antioxidants
   • Regular exercise and stress-reduction practices
   • Addressing nutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, folate, B12, magnesium)
3. Re-testing: Reassess every 8–12 weeks after lifestyle or treatment changes to evaluate improvement.

Who Benefits Most from This Panel

• Individuals with a family history of cardiovascular or autoimmune disease
• Those experiencing unexplained fatigue, stiffness, or brain fog
• People managing chronic metabolic, thyroid, or inflammatory conditions
• Anyone pursuing longevity, biohacking, or preventive health strategies

Preparation & Sample Requirements

• Specimen: Blood draw at any Quest Diagnostics location
• Fasting: 8–10 hours (water only), especially important for homocysteine accuracy
• Timing: Morning collections preferred for consistency

Turnaround Time: Most results are available within 24–72 hours.

Results Interpretation Guide

Cellular Inflammation & NF-κB Control Panel

(Performed by Quest Diagnostics)

Understanding Your Results

This panel helps you identify early, low-grade inflammation—often called “inflammaging”—that can silently contribute to heart disease, metabolic dysfunction, and premature aging.
Each biomarker reflects a unique aspect of inflammation and NF-κB pathway activity. Together, they provide a clear snapshot of your body’s immune and vascular balance.

1. C-Reactive Protein (CRP), High Sensitivity (hs-CRP)

Typical Reference Range: 0.0–3.0 mg/L

• Optimal: <1.0 mg/L
• Mild Elevation: 1.0–3.0 mg/L
• High Risk: >3.0 mg/L

What It Means:
hs-CRP measures subtle, ongoing inflammation in the bloodstream. Elevated levels—even slightly above 1.0—are linked to increased risk for heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and tissue aging.

How to Improve:

• Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet (Mediterranean or plant-rich).
• Include omega-3s, turmeric, and antioxidants.
• Manage stress, improve sleep, and exercise regularly.
• Reduce refined sugars and processed fats.

2. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Typical Reference Range:

• Men: 0–15 mm/hr
• Women: 0–20 mm/hr

What It Means:
ESR reflects how fast red blood cells settle in a test tube. A faster rate indicates ongoing inflammation, infection, or immune activation.
When both ESR and hs-CRP are elevated, it often points to chronic or systemic inflammation.

How to Improve:

• Identify possible chronic triggers (infection, autoimmune issues, metabolic imbalance).
• Support immune regulation through nutrient repletion and stress management.
• Follow up with your clinician if persistently elevated.

3. Ferritin

Typical Reference Range:

• Men: 30–400 ng/mL
• Women: 15–150 ng/mL

What It Means:
Ferritin reflects both iron storage and inflammatory activity. Elevated ferritin without high iron intake can signal oxidative stress or liver inflammation.
Low ferritin, on the other hand, may indicate iron deficiency.

How to Improve:

• If high, avoid iron supplements and focus on antioxidants (vitamin C, NAC, green tea extract).
• If low, increase iron-rich foods (lean red meat, spinach, lentils) and check for hidden blood loss.
• Monitor ferritin trends alongside CRP for a clearer inflammation picture.

4. Fibrinogen Activity

Typical Reference Range: 200–400 mg/dL

• Optimal: 200–300 mg/dL
• High Risk: >350 mg/dL

What It Means:
Fibrinogen is a clotting protein that rises during systemic inflammation. High levels increase blood viscosity (“thickness”), raising cardiovascular and clotting risk.

How to Improve:

• Stay hydrated and physically active.
• Focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition and omega-3s to improve blood flow.
• Manage stress and avoid smoking, which raises fibrinogen significantly.

5. Homocysteine

Typical Reference Range: 5.0–15.0 µmol/L

• Optimal: <8.0 µmol/L
• Elevated: >10 µmol/L

What It Means:
Homocysteine is a byproduct of protein metabolism. When too high, it damages blood vessels, increases oxidative stress, and promotes NF-κB activation.
It’s also linked to poor methylation and vitamin B deficiencies.

How to Improve:

• Ensure adequate intake of vitamin B6, B12, folate, and betaine.
• Limit alcohol and processed foods.
• Support detoxification and methylation pathways (leafy greens, beets, whole grains).

How to Use This Information

When to Re-Test

• After initiating new lifestyle or supplement plans: 8–12 weeks
• For long-term monitoring: Every 6–12 months
• If you experience new symptoms: consult your provider sooner

When to Seek Further Evaluation

Persistent or sharply rising inflammation markers may warrant additional testing for:

• Cardiometabolic disease (ApoB, Lp(a), insulin resistance)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic infections
• Liver or kidney dysfunction

Additional Ulta Lab Tests panels to consider.

• Cardiometabolic Inflammation & Vascular Health Panel
• Oxidative Stress & Cellular Defense Panel

Key Takeaway

Your inflammation markers tell the story of how your body is aging and repairing itself.
By measuring and managing these biomarkers, you can:
? Detect early disease risk
? Personalize your prevention strategy
? Support long-term vitality and resilience

Frequently Asked Questions — Cellular Inflammation & NF-κB Control Panel

Q1: What does this panel measure, and why is NF-κB important?

This panel measures five key blood markers that reflect your body’s inflammatory and vascular health. These markers are influenced by NF-κB, a master protein that controls inflammation at the genetic level.
When NF-κB is overactive, it triggers a constant release of inflammatory chemicals, accelerating aging and increasing risk for diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and neurodegeneration. By testing these markers, you can detect inflammation early and take proactive steps to restore balance.

Q2: How does the hs-CRP test help me?

hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) detects even subtle levels of inflammation that standard CRP tests might miss. Elevated hs-CRP indicates “silent” inflammation that can damage arteries or contribute to metabolic disease.
By lowering your hs-CRP through diet, exercise, or targeted supplementation (like omega-3s), you can reduce your long-term cardiovascular risk.

Q3: What’s the difference between ESR and hs-CRP?

Both reflect inflammation, but they measure it differently.

• hs-CRP changes quickly and shows short-term inflammatory changes.
• ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) reflects longer-term or ongoing inflammation.
  When both are elevated, it often points to a chronic process such as autoimmune activity or persistent metabolic stress.

Q4: Why is ferritin included in an inflammation panel?

While ferritin primarily stores iron, it also rises when the body is inflamed or under oxidative stress. High ferritin levels can indicate excessive iron accumulation or inflammation driven by NF-κB.
Balancing iron status and improving antioxidant defense can help normalize ferritin and reduce oxidative damage to tissues.

Q5: What does fibrinogen tell me about my health?

Fibrinogen is a clotting protein that also rises with inflammation. Elevated levels make blood “stickier,” increasing the risk of clot formation and cardiovascular disease.
Tracking fibrinogen helps assess vascular inflammation and can guide strategies to improve circulation—such as increasing physical activity, optimizing hydration, and addressing inflammatory triggers.

Q6: How is homocysteine related to inflammation and aging?

Homocysteine is an amino acid produced during normal metabolism, but high levels damage the inner lining of blood vessels, promoting oxidative stress and inflammation.
It’s also tied to poor methylation—an essential detoxification and DNA repair process.
Lowering homocysteine through adequate vitamin B6, B12, and folate intake helps protect cardiovascular and cognitive function.

Q7: How can I use these test results to improve my health?

Your results can help you and your healthcare provider:

• Identify whether inflammation is present and what might be driving it.
• Personalize dietary and supplement plans to calm inflammation.
• Monitor your response to interventions such as weight loss, exercise, or anti-inflammatory therapies.
• Detect cardiovascular or metabolic risk factors before symptoms develop.

Many patients use this panel as a baseline and re-test every 8–12 weeks to track improvements over time.

Q8: What happens if my inflammation markers are elevated?

Elevated markers don’t necessarily mean disease—but they do signal that your body is under stress.
Your provider may recommend:

• Nutritional changes (anti-inflammatory diet, omega-3s, antioxidants)
• Weight management and regular physical activity
• Stress-reduction and sleep optimization
• Further diagnostic testing if specific conditions are suspected

Q9: Can I use this panel with other Ulta Lab Tests panels?

Yes. This test pairs perfectly with:

• Cardiometabolic Inflammation & Vascular Health Panel – for deeper cardiovascular insight
• Oxidative Stress & Cellular Defense Panel – for redox and antioxidant balance
• Cellular Aging & Regeneration Panel – for telomere and longevity biomarkers

Together, these panels form a complete picture of inflammation, metabolism, and aging.

Q10: How often should I repeat this panel?

For preventive tracking or after lifestyle interventions, most providers recommend every 8–12 weeks. For long-term wellness monitoring, every 6–12 months is appropriate.