Doctor’s response

My post covid syndrome diagnosis was done based on multiple factors, including symptoms, history, etc, and not labs. Of course, that was back in 2023. No one mentioned biomarkers that I recall.

@celia16
At least you had a doctor willing to diagnose it.

@sjde53 , yes….I saw a series of doctors at Duke. Diagnosed there.

sjde53 @sjde53
My allergist/ immunologist had me tested for - COVID-19 IgG.

The COVID-19 IgG, Qualitative by CIA test is for in vitro diagnostic use under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). In compliance with this authorization, please visit https://www.aruplab.com/infectious-disease/coronavirus for more information and to access the applicable information sheets.
This test should not be used for screening of donated blood.
Use for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) that develop in response to natural infection with SARS-CoV-2. These antibodies do not develop as a result of a COVID-19 vaccination. There are no current recommendations for assessing COVID-19 vaccine response.
Performed By: ARUP Laboratories
500 Chipeta Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Laboratory Director: Jonathan R. Genzen, MD, PhD
CLIA Number: 46D0523979

@celia16 May I ask who diagnosed you at Duke? I was unaware they had any long covid care there… is Duke continuing to care for your long covid condition(s)? I’m in NC, and it seemed after the closure of the UNC long covid clinic and the doctor there not taking new patients that NC was a desert when it came to long covid care. Thanks for any insight!

@fourleaf Back in 2024 tests for antibodies created from covid vaccines and for separate identification of natural human antibodies for a covid exposure were in use. This included 3 anti-S assays, 1 anti-N assay, and Anti-ORF8. Using these labs appeared to isolate human natural antibodies to fight covid from antibodies created by the vaccines. Not sure if a doctor in 2026 can order these labs for long covid sufferers. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1386653223002445

Conclusions:
1. Anti-N-CTD antibody assays provide good discrimination between natural infection and vaccination in BNT162b2 (mRNA) vaccinated individuals.
2. Anti-ORF8 antibody can help discriminate infection from vaccination in either type of vaccine and help estimate infection attack rates (IAR) in communities. https://www.scribd.com/document/1067446551/15-Cheng-2023-Serological-Assays-for-Differentiating-Natural-COVID-19-Infection-From-Vaccine-Induced-Immunity

Tests were mostly used in detecting antibody levels to determine efficacies after three commonly used SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson). It was a study to determine which 'vaccine' created the most antibodies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38400067/

Another medical journal reported the assays were used to measure levels of antibody associated with experiencing side effects as well as more muscle pain, chills, fever and moderate limitations for the various vaccines: https://escholarship.org/content/qt86n9j44j/qt86n9j44j.pdf

My symptoms didn't start easing up until last year.That's 6 years now.In 2020,I was so sick I don't remember the first 6 months back to work,nothing.Then the nightmare started.I just knew that whatever this covid deal was,it wasn't like anyone's that I had heard of.Got desperate.Found a Dr online.Best thing ever.Great guy.The real deal.Now I'm virtually symptom free.I did catch several other things along the way.Which got resolved.I'm at the tail end of this thing.THANK YOU FATHER.

@vivmor730 , Duke doesn’t have a covid treatment or division that I am aware of. I was diagnosed by Otolaryngology division. I also had smell and taste disorders, nasal issues, hair loss, tingling, fasciculations and other symptoms outside of ENT area, so I also was seeing Neurology. Neurologist ordered most of my labs, MRI and EMG.

I thought that Wake Med had a long covid department at one time. I’m glad that most of my symptoms have improved or resolved.

Thank you for the reply, and congrats on the resolution of your symptoms! We need all the good news we can get!

Who was the online doctor?