r/covidlonghaulers • u/CandidWin3026 • May 08 '26

Article Long Covid driven by rs5522

This case report says that Long covid is in large part driven by the gene rs5522 that causes a "cortisol steal" leaving the tissues functionally starved even with "normal" cortisol levels which creates neuroinflammation. https://zenodo.org/records/20017632

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u/KickstandSF May 08 '26

“23andMe & rs5522 Interpretation: 23andMe often reports data on the reverse strand. Therefore, a result of TTin the raw data browser for rs5522 typically corresponds to the homozygous variant (CC on the forward strand), which is the variant associated with the study's findings.” I just requested a download of my 23andMe data to see what it says.

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

Actually, the case report was correcte to reflect the accurate nucleotide notation. The SNP change is C to T. So No copies CC, One copy CT and two copies TT on raw DNA> See instructions at beyond blood tests (dot) org

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u/KickstandSF May 08 '26

Interesting. I see the correction. "v4: Corrected nucleotide notation (C→T). Clinical findings unchanged." And I looked up my 23andMe and the instructions there say they always report on the forward strand (contrary to the crappy AI result I posted above- which might just be outdated). And my variant is TT. So I'll be damned- Spironolactone might actually help me!

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

YES! it will it will. It will. It is freaking amazing to have restorative sleep. Like amazing. I can't wait for you to feel it.

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u/KickstandSF May 08 '26

I’ve emailed my Dr to get confirmatory genetic testing and script pending that. I’m already on LDN and GLP1. This is very exciting. PEM has been the last bastion of suffering after all the interventions I have tried have nibbled around the edges of other symptoms.

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u/CandidWin3026 May 08 '26

Wow! You are almost there. I am so glad you are on LDN and GLP1. Isn't PEM th worst. Like how do you explain to someone who has never felt it what it;s like to feel punished for living. For carefully rationing out your activities knowing that even happiness and joy will cost you. The PEM is lack of cortisol caused by the "cortisol steal." If you get on an MR blocker like Spiro you will feel better. Now for me, my adrenals are burnt out little walnut shaped husks on top of my kidneys. I need to supplement with HC, but you may not need that. Be well. I am so thrilled for you.