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Subacute Thyroiditis and Heart Failure in a Patient Presenting With COVID-19
Sherin Elsa Mathews1,2, Jessica Castellanos-Diaz1,2, Ashok Srihari1,2
1Malcom Randall Veteran Hospital, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
|April 15, 2021
Summary
COVID-19 can cause acute heart failure and thyroid dysfunction. Prompt diagnosis and steroid treatment of associated subacute thyroiditis are crucial for improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- COVID-19 has been associated with various cardiovascular complications.
- Thyroid dysfunction can mimic or exacerbate heart failure symptoms.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male with COVID-19 presented with acute heart failure and elevated troponin levels.
- Initial heart failure treatment improved symptoms, but thyroid function tests remained abnormal.
- Thyroid ultrasound revealed mild abnormalities, and thyroid dysfunction was attributed to COVID-19-induced subacute thyroiditis.
Findings:
- The patient's thyroid function tests normalized after initiating prednisone therapy.
- Steroid therapy demonstrated rapid improvement in thyroid function tests.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider thyroid dysfunction in patients presenting with heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Baseline thyroid function tests may be beneficial in evaluating heart failure patients.
- Prompt treatment of underlying thyroiditis, particularly with steroids, can improve cardiovascular outcomes.
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