Summary
| Direction in ME/CFS | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic |
| Also described as | Sphingolipids — LC overlap |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Mitochondrial dysfunction |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Saito et al. 2024 — doi:10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341843 |
| Condition atlas | ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Ceramides (plasma) is reported
- Ceramides in Long COVID — ↓ reduced vs R (fully recovered)
See the cross-condition hub: Ceramides (plasma) across conditions.
Related Metabolic markers in ME/CFS
- ATP (plasma) ↓
- Kynurenine ↑
- Sarcosine ↓
- Serine ↓
- Lactate (blood) ↑
- Free carnitine ↕
- C18 Acylcarnitine (stearoylcarnitine) ↑
- C16 Acylcarnitine (palmitoylcarnitine) ↑
Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ceramides (plasma) high or low in ME/CFS?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Ceramides (plasma) in ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Source: Saito et al. 2024.
What symptoms is Ceramides (plasma) associated with in ME/CFS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Mitochondrial dysfunction. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Ceramides (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 Ceramides (plasma) result diagnostic of ME/CFS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Ceramides (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 Ceramides (plasma) specific to ME/CFS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from me-cfs.json · Browse: ME/CFS 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.