MELLOW: Tracking Hormone Fluctuations in ME/CFS and Long COVID

ME/CFS and Long COVID (LC) are conditions that are more common in females, especially during significant life stages like puberty and pregnancy. This connection suggests that sex hormones, which undergo major changes during these periods, might play a role in these illnesses. While these hormones don’t directly cause ME/CFS or LC, their interaction with the conditions indicates they could influence the underlying biological mechanisms and studying could highlight this unknown mechanism of disease.

Hormones affect various biological functions, particularly energy production and immune system function. We have launched a new study to explore this further. We will collect samples of blood and urine from individuals with LC, ME/CFS, and those without these conditions. By analyzing the levels of hormones, as well as markers of metabolism and inflammation in these samples, we aim to understand if and how hormonal fluctuations impact these bodily processes differently in those with LC or ME/CFS compared to healthy individuals. This could lead to better insights into how these conditions develop and how they could be treated.