Long covid without almost asymptomatic covid?

[milkjetmum]

Saw my gp on Friday after a number of new symptoms appearing over the last month, hairloss, numb/tingly toes but really prompted to request gp appointment due to new problem with extreme exhaustion/breathlessness on usual exercise (this week was a bit scary when it happened after just going up the stairs at work).

Was expecting maybe tests for anaemia, or thyroid or in my most pessimistic mode perhaps something cardiac was going on. But doctor thinks long covid and asked about any recent illness!

With hindsight I did have a slight tickly cough before Easter weekend and went for drive through pcr which came back negative. But was otherwise feeling fine and remember at the time dh teased me a bit for going for testing after 'coughing 3 times'.

Anyway just surprised as had presumed long covid would relate to damage caused by being really quite unwell with covid? Just wondered what other experiences had been?

If it is long COVID, there are many other organic illnesses that should be ruled out 1st. My DH is a respiratory consultant and runs a ling covid clinic. Thete are guidelines for referral that include the usual raft of blood tests, like full blood count for anaemia, thyroid, liver and kidney function tests, you should prob also have b12 and folate, with the symptoms you describe...
With breathlessness, you should be getting an ECG and chest X ray, this is all before referral for ling covid.
I've got to say, it doesn't sound like LC to me esp with a negative test. I'm wondering if the GP is being a bit dismissive. Did he/she suggest a plan/ referral for LC?
I'd go back and request another consultation. This needs proper, robust investigation. Good luck and be firm!

You'd want to check for iron deficiency (which can cause hair loss, breathlessness etc) and tingling toes can be vitamin B12 deficiency (which is surprisingly common). You'd also need your thyroid checked as an underactive thyroid will cause fatigue, hair loss and a raft of other things.

To be honest doesn't sound like long Covid to me, and a bit surprised your GP just leapt to that decision! I'd push for more tests if I were you.

Yes they have referred me for bloods too so agree possible to be something else (which was more what I had expected on booking in to see gp). I think it was my red and tingly toes that tipped the balance towards covid. Advice was to present to a and e if breathlessness is ever accompanied with chest pain or if toes/foot got worse rather than better (they have stopped tingling now).

Will reserve judgement until bloods are back...

Even if they think long Covid they should still do basic bloods to rule out anything else. I have long Covid, positive test, symptomatic, ongoing symptoms since and they still did bloods.

X post. Glad they are covering all bases. I also had a chest X ray because I have breathlessness on exertion.

Long-covid is a broad brush label that covers BOTH illness damage that lasts, and things that show up later which could be auto-immune related.

A friend of mine had asymptomatic covid, and then several weeks later got hit hard with long-covid. Went from being very fit, to unable to climb a flight of stairs without getting totally out of breath (i.e. gasping). She's recovered somewhat - 4 months on she's not back to her previous health, but stairs are no longer a nightmare.