Thyroid Infection May Follow COVID-19 in Some Patients
Node Smith, ND
COVID-19 infection may cause subacute thyroiditis, according to a new case study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
COVID-19 infection may cause subacute thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disease characterized by neck pain and is usually preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. It may be caused by a viral infection or a post-viral inflammatory reaction, and many viruses have been linked to the disease.
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic with severe respiratory symptoms and may involve other organs. More than 3 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide.
First case of subacute thyroiditis after SARS-CoV-2 infection reported
“We reported the first case of subacute thyroiditis after SARS-CoV-2 infection,” said Francesco Latrofa, M.D., of the University Hospital of Pisa in Pisa, Italy. “Physicians should be alerted about the possibility of this additional clinical manifestation related to COVID-19.”
Clinicians examined an 18-year-old woman who was infected with COVID-19
The clinicians examined an 18-year-old woman who was infected with COVID-19 after being exposed by her father. She completely recovered from COVID-19, testing negative a few days later, but started experiencing some additional symptoms. The young woman had neck and thyroid pain, fever and an increased heart rate. She was sent back to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis. She had normal thyroid functioning and imaging just one month earlier.
“Because of the chronological association, SARS-CoV-2 may be considered accountable for the onset of subacute thyroiditis,” Latrofa said.
Other authors include Alessandro Brancatella, Debora Ricci, Nicola Viola, Daniele Sgrò and Ferruccio Santini of the University Hospital of Pisa.
The study was supported by the University of Pisa.
1. Francesco Latrofa, Ferruccio Santini, Daniele Sgrò, Nicola Viola, Debora Ricci, Alessandro Brancatella. Subacute thyroiditis after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2020; DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa276
Node Smith, ND, is a naturopathic physician in Humboldt, Saskatchewan and associate editor and continuing education director for NDNR. His mission is serving relationships that support the process of transformation, and that ultimately lead to healthier people, businesses and communities. His primary therapeutic tools include counselling, homeopathy, diet and the use of cold water combined with exercise. Node considers health to be a reflection of the relationships a person or a business has with themselves, with God and with those around them. In order to cure disease and to heal, these relationships must be specifically considered. Node has worked intimately with many groups and organizations within the naturopathic profession, and helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic Revitalization (ANR), which works to promote and facilitate experiential education in vitalism.
