The presence of micro clotting in the body may help prove the existence of long-COVID (according to findings in Nature Medicine’s report). That’s a reason why the microclots test is becoming a significant indicator for Long-COVID. Nearly 34% of the adults in the US are diagnosed with Long COVID (February 16, 2024, USA Today). Long COVID is a severe medical condition where individuals continue to persist the symptoms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus for a long period. Even after recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19, they possess the symptoms or its effects for months or years. 

Why is it Difficult to Find the Existence of Long COVID? 

Long COVID is characterized by a range of symptoms that can affect different organs and systems in the body. The symptoms of Long COVID can vary from person to person and may not immediately link to the initial COVID-19 infection. Moreover, Long COVID has the ability to evolve from time to time. Initially, it largely impacts the respiratory organs, but it became evident that the virus could affect multiple organs. Thus, medical experts find it difficult to identify the existence of Long COVID in individuals. 

Common Symptoms of Long COVID, Including Newly Found Micro Clotting 

The common symptoms of Long COVID include, 

        I.            Fatigue

      II.            Shortness of Breath

    III.            Braun Fog

    IV.            Persistent Loss of Taste or Smell 

The study mentioned in Nature Medicine proves that ‘Micro clotting is the symptom of Long COVID.’ Micro clotting during Long COVID can also lead to the prevalence of ‘Brain Fog’ in patients. The study also says that cognitive problems such as dementia can also result from micro-clotting in Long COVID. 

Proven Results by Maxime Taquet of the University of Oxford 

Maxime Taquet, one of the lead authors of Nature Medicine’s study, conducted research on 1,800 patients in the UK who were hospitalized for COVID-19 between 2020 and 21. Taquet and his team took microclot testing of each individual. In the results, Taquet’s team found what they were looking for. Patients who recovered from COVID-19 back in 2020 or 2021 had elevated levels of blood clot formation. 

Results

Many of them had D-dimer type of micro clotting, where big blood clots break down into small pieces. 

Another type of blood clot found in patients was fibrinogen. This protein is typically produced in the liver. 

Research of Resia Pretorius on Long COVID & Microclots Test

Resia Pretorius, a physiologist at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, has published detailed research on long COVID and its relationship with the microclots test. According to her research, microclots contain misfolded fibrinogen proteins that often block brains or other organs from getting oxygen flow. 

Can Microclot Tests Help Treat Long COVID?

Long COVID symptoms can vary from person to person. However, with a microclots test, a medical professional can find the existence of Long COVID in an individual. If the test shows the formation of microclots in the body, it means you have Long-term COVID. Consider Apheresis treatments, stem cell therapy, or other different types of effective treatment options to recover from Long COVID.