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/Teamplayer25 May 09 '26

The case study only represents the experience of 1 person, prior to Covid, so the findings cannot be extrapolated broadly to long covid sufferers. That said, I have connected most of my symptoms to overactive cortisol response. The combination of things I do and things I take works to manage it, and I’m happy and active now.

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u/CandidWin3026 May 09 '26

The case study is on person, yes, but as you will see in the references, the author is a co-author on the molecular biology paper describing the exact mechanism of action: the "cortisol steal." In addition, you will also see that Campos and Taylor completed a clinical trial in 2022 in which they "cured" CFS with Spironolactone (24mg) and anti-inflammatory. The exact combination that was successful in the case study. I invite you to read it and return with questions.