The impact of COVID-19 infection on thyroid function.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Infectious Diseases
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted potential links between viral infections and endocrine system dysfunction.
• Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and immune responses, making them susceptible to disruption during systemic illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between thyroid function and COVID-19 severity in Iraqi patients.
• To assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism, euthyroidism, hyperthyroidism) in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to Adiwaniyah Teaching Hospital's isolation center was studied.
• Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3), and total thyroxine (T4).

Main Results:

• Serum T4 levels averaged 87.26 ± 38.29 ng/dl and TSH levels averaged 5.55 ± 12.36 mU/L, with no significant difference based on disease severity.
• Thyroid status distribution included 24.6% hypothyroid, 49.3% euthyroid, and 26.1% hyperthyroid.
• No significant correlation was found between COVID-19 severity and thyroid status.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 patients exhibit a notable prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities.
• These thyroid dysfunctions may offer an explanation for some of the long-term sequelae observed in patients post-COVID-19.