April 29, 2024

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Scientists find effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid can last at least a year

Scientists find effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid can last at least a year



 

Scientists find effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid can last at least a year.


Severe COVID-19 illness affects thyroid function through various mechanisms, according to a recent study by Dr. Ilaria Muller of the University of Milan, Italy, and colleagues.

The researchers followed people with thyroid dysfunction associated with COVID-19 disease for a year to better characterize this thyroid involvement and track its development over time.

 

During moderate to severe COVID-19 disease, the development of thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland) plays an important role in thyroid dysfunction, in addition to other well-known mechanisms primarily acting on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Hormone imbalances are usually mild but increase in severe cases of COVID-19. Their study was presented during the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology in Milan, Italy.

 

Scientists find effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid can last at least a year

 

 

Thyroid function is vital to the body’s metabolism, growth and development.

It helps regulate numerous bodily functions by continuously releasing steady amounts of thyroid hormone into the bloodstream.

The thyroid produces extra hormones when the body needs more energy in certain situations, such as during growth, cold or pregnancy.

 

The study looked at more than 100 patients admitted to hospital with severe COVID-19, analyzing their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and other measures.

Thyroiditis occurs frequently in the cohort of COVID-19 patients, and thyroid function, as well as inflammatory markers, almost all return to normal shortly after their COVID-19 illness ends. However, after 12 months, half of the people’s areas of thyroiditis were still visible on a thyroid ultrasound, even when reduced in size.

Thyroid uptake of technetium or iodine, an indicator of thyroid function, was still reduced in 4 of 6 at 9 months, although most had recovered by 12 months. The long-term clinical consequences, if any, are unknown.

 

Dr Muller said: “There is a clear link between thyroid dysfunction and COVID-19 disease. It is important to understand that thyroid hormones correlate with disease severity, and the thyroid appears to be directly involved in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) The fact of viral infection needs to be taken into account”.

 

 

Scientists find effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid can last at least a year

(source:internet, reference only)


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