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Damage to the thyroid caused by COVID-19, a study reports the first case in the world

The research has been published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

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A study carried out by endocrinologists from the University Hospital of Pisa have reported the first instance in the world of subacute thyroiditis caused by COVID-19.

The first author of the study, which has appeared in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, a journal published by the Endocrine Society, is Alessandro Brancatella, a physician specialized in endocrinology and a PhD student, together with the biologist Debora Ricci, post graduate students Nicola Viola and Daniele Sgrò,  Ferruccio Santini, an associate professor of Endocrinology and director of the Endocrinology 1 Unit and Francesco Latrofa, an associate professor of Endocrinology.

 

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From left to right: Francesco Latrofa, Ferruccio Santini and Alessandro Brancatella


The case is based on the observation of a young woman who suffered an attack of subacute thyroiditis, an inflammatory thyroid disease, immediately after recovering from COVID-19. The woman had been diagnosed with normal thyroid functioning just one month previously.

“There is much proof of the viral or postviral etiology of subacute thyroiditis,” explains Francesco Latrofa. “Over the years, different viruses have been associated with the disease although there has never been a case of the disease caused by coronavirus infection.”

Subacute thyroiditis is characterized by intense neck pain, fever and malaise and symptoms linked to the excess of circulating thyroid hormones such as sweating, rapid heartbeat  and insomnia. The patient in question was treated successfully with glucocorticoids.

“We felt it was important to share this case with the scientific community,” concludes Francesco Latrofa. “Considering there are more than 5 million infected patients throughout the world, it is highly probable that other cases of subacute thyroiditis from coronavirus will come to light.”

 

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  • 3 June 2020

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