Subacute Thyroiditis from COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Introduction: The novel severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has led to the ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease pandemic. There are increasing reports of extrapulmonary clinical features of COVID-19, either as initial presentations or sequelae of disease. We report a patient diagnosed with subacute thyroiditis precipitated by COVID-19 infection, as well as review the literature of similar cases.

Case presentation: A 41-year-old female with no significant personal or family history of endocrinologic disorders presented with clinical features of thyroiditis that began after COVID-19 infection. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings were indicative of subacute thyroiditis. Workup for potential triggers other than SARS-CoV-2 was negative.

Discussion/conclusion: We compared the clinical and diagnostic findings of our patient with other well-documented cases of subacute thyroiditis presumed to be triggered by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. We also reviewed the literature related to the potential mechanisms leading to thyroiditis. Clinicians must be aware of the possibility of thyroid dysfunction after COVID-19 infection. Early recognition and timely anti-inflammatory therapy help in successful management.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Subacute thyroiditis; Thyroid tests.