Routine Lab Tests Ineffective in Diagnosing Long COVID, Study Finds

Large-scale NIH study reveals no reliable biomarkers, emphasizing the need for symptom-based diagnosis and further research.

Researchers examined over 10,000 adults across the U.S. but found no significant differences in lab results between those with and without long COVID.
The study highlighted small increases in HbA1c and uACR among previously infected individuals, but these were not reliable diagnostic markers.
Experts stress that diagnosing long COVID should rely on detailed medical histories and physical exams rather than routine lab tests.
The RECOVER Initiative aims to develop new diagnostic tools and explore treatments through biobank samples and ongoing research.
Long COVID remains a complex condition with symptoms like fatigue and brain fog, often linked to ongoing inflammation rather than persistent viral presence.