Medical Researchers Warn That COVID-19 Vaccines Are Triggering Onset of Grave’s Disease in Some Individuals
Kittisak Meepoon Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 04, 2025 1 month, 2 weeks, 2 days, 16 hours, 4 minutes ago
Medical News: COVID-9 Vaccination and the Surprising Rise in Grave’s Disease Cases
A new medical study has raised concerns about a rare but serious side effect associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. Researchers from the Division of Molecular Endocrinology and the Department of Medicine at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have linked the development of Graves’ disease—a type of autoimmune hyperthyroidism—to various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Study links COVID-19 vaccines to rare cases of autoimmune Graves’ disease in otherwise healthy individuals
Graves’ disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading it to produce too much thyroid hormone. Symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, weight loss, eye swelling, and tremors. The study revealed a growing number of post-vaccination cases worldwide, especially among middle-aged women. According to this
Medical News report, understanding these trends is crucial to improving vaccine safety and patient care.
What the Study Found
The researchers documented 75 confirmed cases of Graves’ disease following COVID-19 vaccination. Most of these individuals had no prior thyroid issues. The onset of symptoms typically ranged from 2 to 46 days after vaccination. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine accounted for the majority of cases (44%), followed by AstraZeneca (18.7%) and Moderna (10.7%).
About 75% of cases occurred in women, and nearly half had no history of thyroid conditions. This suggests that COVID-19 vaccines may, in rare situations, act as a trigger for autoimmune reactions even in healthy individuals. Reported symptoms included palpitations, weight loss, fatigue, and heat intolerance—classic signs of thyroid overactivity.
How Could Vaccines Trigger Grave’s Disease
The study proposes several possible mechanisms for vaccine-induced autoimmune responses. One key factor is the body’s immune reaction to the vaccine’s spike protein, especially among people with a genetic predisposition. Components like mRNA, lipid nanoparticles, and adenoviral vectors may overstimulate the immune system, leading to the production of thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies (TRAb).
Molecular mimicry—where viral proteins resemble the body’s own tissues—might also cause the immune system to mistakenly attack thyroid cells. Additionally, the researchers noted that factors like stress, iodine intake, gut microbiome imbalance, and deficiencies in selenium or vitamin D may further increase the risk of developing Graves’ disease after vaccination.
A Call for Awareness and Monitoring
Though the overall incidence remains very low, the study calls for greater awareness among healthcare providers and patients. Early detection through blood tests and thyroid scans can help manage the condition effectively with m
edications like methimazole and beta-blockers. Most patients in the study responded well to treatment, and none required ICU care.
The researchers recommend ongoing post-vaccine surveillance, especially in individuals with a family history of autoimmune conditions or prior thyroid issues. Understanding who may be at higher risk could lead to more personalized vaccination strategies and better outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Immunology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1699210/full
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