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Case Reports
. 2021 Jan 18;14(1):e237690.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237690.

New onset adrenal insufficiency in a patient with COVID-19

Maram Hashim  1 , Syed Athar  1 , Waqar Haider Gaba  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

New onset adrenal insufficiency in a patient with COVID-19

Maram Hashim et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19. Since the outbreak and rapid spread of COVID-19, it has been apparent that the disease is having multi-organ system involvement. Still its effect in the endocrine system is not fully clear and data on cortisol dynamics in patients with COVID-19 are not yet available. SARS-CoV-2 can knock down the host's cortisol stress response. Here we present a case of a 51-year-old man vomiting for 10 days after having confirmed COVID-19 infection. He had hypotension and significant hyponatraemia. Work-up was done including adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. He was diagnosed as suffering from adrenal insufficiency and started on steroids with subsequent improvement in both blood pressure and sodium level. COVID-19 can cause adrenal insufficiency. Clinicians must be vigilant about the possibility of an underlying relative cortisol deficiency in patients with COVID-19.

Keywords: adrenal disorders; fluid electrolyte and acid-base disturbances.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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