Post 3 in the Microclots Series
The smallest blood vessels nourish the largest dreams.”
— Anonymous
We’ve explored what microclots are and how they’re being linked to conditions from Long COVID to chronic fatigue, brain fog, and even vascular disorders like chronic venous insufficiency (CVI or varicose veins or lymphedema), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and retinal microvascular damage.
These seemingly unrelated conditions share one sinister thread: Damage or dysfunction in the tiny blood vessels that keep tissues nourished and waste products cleared away, and are being caused by microclots — tiny cousins of the larger blood clots that cause strokes and pulmonary embolisms. These microscopic clumps of protein and platelets can slip through the cracks of standard tests, but their effect is no less serious. They can disrupt blood flow, impair oxygen delivery, and contribute to symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and vision problems.
If this is your first time exploring the topic, start with our earlier post for a foundational overview: Microclots – Tiny Clots, Massive Consequences
We’re seeing persistent microclots in the blood of patients who’ve recovered from COVID-19, and these clots are directly impairing blood flow and oxygen delivery.
—Prof. Resia Pretorius, Stellenbosch University. (Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2021;20:172. PMID: 34563257)
But why do these tiny, stubborn clots matter so much—and what can be done about them?
Emerging studies suggest microclots might:
✅ Block oxygen delivery in tissues, causing perfusion problems that reach far beyond just fatigue and brain fog. People report symptoms like hand numbness, tingling, vision disturbances, dizziness, chest discomfort, and even skin changes—all signs that blood flow isn’t reaching where it should.
✅ Trigger or worsen venous congestion in CVI by increasing blood viscosity and hampering outflow or the return of blood to the heart—which can also strain the lymphatic system. This can lead to fluid buildup, chronic swelling, inflammation, skin thickening (fibrosis), and raise the risk of lymphedema, venous ulcers, infections like cellulitis, or even ischemic stroke.
These microclots are small, but their consequences can be big — they can block capillaries, starve tissues of oxygen, and possibly contribute to long COVID symptoms.
— Dr. David Kell, University of Liverpool. (Biochem J. 2022).
✅ Contribute to microvascular injury seen in PAD, retinal disease, and other organs. In PAD, microclots may worsen arterial blockages, leading to leg pain with walking (claudication), slow-healing wounds, or even tissue death requiring amputation in severe cases. In the eyes, microvascular blockages might raise the risk of retinal tears, retinal vein occlusions, or contribute to ischemic processes that over time could accelerate retinal degeneration or possibly contribute to conditions like macular degeneration if unresolved. Similar microvascular injury could damage the kidneys (leading to protein loss or declining kidney function) or the lungs (potentially causing shortness of breath, reduced oxygenation, and pulmonary hypertension).
✅ Trap inflammatory proteins (like spike protein fragments) within their fibrin mesh, keeping immune reactions on a hair trigger. For some people, this may help fuel Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)—a condition where mast cells (immune cells that normally defend against infections and help with healing) become overly reactive, releasing bursts of histamine and other chemicals at inappropriate times. This can cause a bewildering mix of symptoms, including flushing, itching, hives, gastrointestinal upset, rapid heartbeat, blood pressure swings, neurological symptoms like anxiety or brain fog, and even severe bladder irritation or pain. MCAS is often missed as a diagnosis—even by seasoned urologists and other specialists—leaving many patients searching for answers. Microclots might act like a constant irritant, triggering these cells repeatedly and making MCAS symptoms harder to control.
✅ Evade breakdown by the body’s usual clot-busting systems (fibrinolysis), making them persistent and difficult to detect on routine tests.
This persistent “sticky blood” state could be one reason some people remain sick long after infections, surgeries, or vascular injuries have supposedly healed. It’s not just a nuisance—it’s a big-league problem with the potential for serious and sometimes life-altering consequences across multiple organs.
Want the science details? Check out our deep dive here: Microclots and the Spike Protein: Latest Research
✅ What About Nattokinase?
Doctors like Dr. Peter McCullough and others talk about nattokinase and similar enzymes as tools to help break down these stubborn clots.
Here’s the truth:
- Nattokinase, lumbrokinase, and other proteolytic enzymes might help degrade abnormal fibrin deposits. Some test-tube studies and patient stories are promising.
- Dr. McCullough has published a proposed “spike detox” protocol that includes nattokinase, bromelain, and curcumin, aiming to dissolve spike protein fragments and microclots, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. (McCullough et al., 2023)
- However, as of now, there’s no large human clinical trial proving these enzymes reliably dissolve spike-related microclots in the body. McGill University and other experts warn that while nattokinase is interesting in lab studies, it’s unproven in living humans and may carry risks of bleeding, especially if combined with blood thinners. (McGill University)
[Important: Check with your healthcare professional before trying nattokinase or similar proteolytic enzymes, especially if you’re on blood thinners or have bleeding risks. This is not medical advice.]
So while nattokinase might be “as good as it gets” in theory, we still don’t have hard proof it solves the microclot problem for everyone.
Researchers are urgently working on it. For now, people with persistent symptoms should work with knowledgeable medical practitioners before starting any new supplements.
Bottom Line
The spike protein doesn’t completely “shut off” your body’s clot-busting system, but it does make clots tougher to break down. That’s why microclots can stick around and cause widespread problems — from fatigue to vision changes to worsening vascular disease like varicose veins – (CVI).
📚 References
- Pretorius E, Venter C, Laubscher GJ, et al. Persistent clotting protein pathology in Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is accompanied by increased levels of antiplasmin. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2021;20:172. PMID: 34563257
- Grobbelaar LM et al. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 induces fibrin(ogen) resistant to fibrinolysis. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2021. PMID: 34333614
- Kell DB et al. A central role for amyloid fibrin microclots in Long COVID/PASC. Biochem J. 2022.
- McCullough PA et al. Clinical Approach to Post‑acute Sequelae After COVID‑19 Infection. Cureus. 2023. PMC10663976
- McGill University Office for Science and Society. Nattokinase’s Clot-Busting Promises Sway Scientists Who Should Know Better. 2023. McGill University