ATP (plasma) in Long COVID

In Long COVID (PASC, Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19), published studies report lower levels of ATP (plasma), also described as Adenosine triphosphate, than in healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms. Symptom domains tied to this marker in the source include fatigue, energy deficit. This entry summarises Saito et al. 2024. Group-level associations like this do not translate into an individual diagnostic cut-off.

↓ ReducedMetabolic

Summary

Direction in Long COVID↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group
CategoryMetabolic
Also described asAdenosine triphosphate
Compared againstHC, R (healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms)
Associated symptomsFatigue, energy deficit
Test typeBlood test (serum / plasma / whole blood)
SourceSaito et al. 2024 — doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341843
Condition atlasLong COVID Biomarker Atlas

Other conditions where ATP (plasma) is reported

See the cross-condition hub: ATP (plasma) across conditions.

Related Metabolic markers in Long COVID

Full list: Long COVID Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is ATP (plasma) high or low in Long COVID?

Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower ATP (plasma) in Long COVID than in healthy controls, recovered individuals without persistent symptoms. Source: Saito et al. 2024.

What symptoms is ATP (plasma) associated with in Long COVID?

The cited literature associates this marker with Fatigue, energy deficit. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.

Which test measures ATP (plasma)?

It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.

Is one abnormal ATP (plasma) result diagnostic of Long COVID?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Long COVID. ATP (plasma) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.

Is ATP (plasma) specific to Long COVID?

No. The same marker is also reported in ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). ATP (plasma) in Long COVID: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/long-covid/atp-plasma.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from long-covid.json · Browse: Long COVID atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages

Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.