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Review
. 2021 Sep;95(3):369-377.
doi: 10.1111/cen.14453. Epub 2021 May 3.

COVID-19-related thyroiditis: A novel disease entity?

Dorota Dworakowska  1   2   3 , Simon Morley  4 , Nicola Mulholland  5   6 , Ashley B Grossman  7   8
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19-related thyroiditis: A novel disease entity?

Dorota Dworakowska et al. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2021 Sep.

Abstract

The literature on COVID-19-related thyroid complications has accumulated over the past year or so as the pandemic has accelerated throughout the world. In particular, several recent case reports have been published describing a possible correlation between COVID-19 disease and subacute thyroiditis (SAT). In this review, we briefly present one of our own patients and review the current published literature in this area up to January 2021, including analyses of major series of thyroid function tests in patients with significant COVID-19 infection. We conclude that while the great majority of patients with severe COVID-19 infection may show manifestations of the sick euthyroid syndrome, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of SAT, especially in the early weeks and months following even mild COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; Thyroiditis; Thyrotoxicosis; Viral thyroiditis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Nothing to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Thyroid ultrasonography, showing 3 images. The thyroid showed patchy areas of variable reduced echogenicity in the parenchyma bilaterally, with typical ultrasound features of a subacute (de Quervain's) thyroiditis. The thyroid was tender during examination
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Technetium pertechnetate radionuclide thyroid scan, showing 4 images (2(A) anterior view, 2(B) anterior view with a marker, 2(C) right anterior, 2(D) left anterior view). Poor tracer uptake within the neck and thyroid bed. The thyroid gland not clearly visualised. Background activity increased. The uptake function reported at 0.1% (normal range 0.4%‐4%) compatible with subacute thyroiditis (SAT)
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
UK General Medical Council guidelines for remote consultations (adapted) (https://www.gmc‐uk.org/ethical‐guidance/ethical‐hub/remote‐consultations)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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