Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 08, 2025 3 months, 5 days, 23 hours, 15 minutes ago
Medical News: A Rare but Serious Aftermath of COVID-19
Medical researchers from Decatur Morgan Hospital in Alabama, along with collaborators from the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, North Alabama Medical Center, Firelands Regional Medical Center, the Medical University of South Carolina, PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, and Huntsville Hospital, have documented a rare but important case showing that COVID-19 may trigger painless thyroid inflammation. This condition, known as “painless thyroiditis,” can cause serious hormonal imbalance without any noticeable neck pain or swelling, making it difficult to detect early.
Post-COVID Thyroid Disorder Emerging as a Silent Threat
According to this
Medical News report, the case involved a 67-year-old man who suffered severe weight loss, nausea, tremors, and fatigue just weeks after recovering from COVID-19. Laboratory tests revealed an abnormally low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and extremely high thyroid hormone levels, despite the absence of thyroid antibodies or gland enlargement. Doctors confirmed that the patient’s thyroid inflammation was a post-COVID reaction, not an autoimmune disease.
How COVID-19 Can Disrupt Thyroid Function
The thyroid gland, responsible for regulating metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature, can become inflamed after viral infections. While subacute thyroiditis—a painful form of thyroid inflammation—is more common after viral illnesses, COVID-19 appears capable of causing a “silent” or painless variant. Scientists believe this occurs when the SARS-CoV-2 virus interacts with ACE2 receptors in the thyroid gland, triggering an immune response that releases pre-formed thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. This sudden hormone surge results in a temporary state called “thyrotoxicosis,” which can lead to heart palpitations, tremors, and extreme fatigue.
In the reported case, ultrasound scans showed a normal thyroid structure, but blood tests indicated thyroid overactivity. Treatment involved beta blockers (to control heart rate and tremors), methimazole (to reduce hormone production), and corticosteroids (to calm inflammation). Within a week, the patient’s hormone levels began to normalize, and his symptoms improved significantly. He was discharged on maintenance medication with close follow-up to monitor for any shift toward hypothyroidism—a common post-inflammatory complication.
Why Doctors Should Remain Vigilant
The study emphasizes that painless thyroiditis following COVID-19, though rare, may be underdiagnosed due to its subtle symptoms. It typically appears four to eight weeks after infection and affects both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The condition can mimic anxiety, depression, or chronic fatigue, leading to misdiagnosis. Researchers urge clinicians to include thyroid function tests when evaluating patients who experience unexplained weight loss, tremors, or fatigue after COVID-19 recovery.
Evidence from similar international studies s
uggests that up to 15–20% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients may experience some form of thyroid dysfunction, often without classic symptoms such as neck pain or swelling. Other studies have also shown that even asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 infections are causing a variety of thyroid issues. This underscores how SARS-CoV-2 continues to disrupt endocrine and metabolic systems even after recovery.
A Cautionary Note for Post COVID Health Monitoring
The researchers conclude that this rare but significant condition highlights the need for ongoing medical monitoring among COVID-19 survivors. Even months after apparent recovery, silent inflammation in critical organs like the thyroid can cause metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Patients who experience persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or tremors should seek medical evaluation, as early intervention can prevent long-term thyroid damage.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed American Journal of Case Reports.
https://amjcaserep.com/abstract/index/idArt/948356
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Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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