Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 10, 2025 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Medical News: Strange Thyroid Illness Hits Gymgoer After COVID-19
Doctors from Wroclaw Medical University in Poland have reported a rare and puzzling thyroid condition that appeared in a young man months after he recovered from COVID-19. The 31-year-old amateur weightlifter, who turned to anabolic steroids after feeling constantly fatigued, unknowingly developed a rare form of thyroid inflammation called painless subacute thyroiditis. This
Medical News report shines a light on a hidden danger that may follow COVID-19 infections—especially when mixed with steroid use.
Unusual Symptoms After COVID-19 Recovery
The patient had never suffered from thyroid or autoimmune conditions before. He experienced a severe bout of COVID-19 but recovered at home without hospitalization. However, weeks later, he began noticing odd symptoms—mild neck discomfort, trouble swallowing, and excessive sweating. Hoping to regain his energy and physical performance, he started using anabolic steroids, including oxandrolone and testosterone enanthate.
His blood tests later revealed a sharp drop in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, suggesting thyroid dysfunction. However, other common thyroid indicators such as FT3, FT4, and autoimmune antibodies remained normal. Because of the absence of neck pain—a hallmark of classic thyroiditis—his condition was diagnosed as “painless subacute thyroiditis,” or PLSAT.
What Is Painless Subacute Thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland that often follows viral infections. It usually causes pain in the neck and strong symptoms such as fever and fatigue. But in rare cases like this, it appears without pain—making it easy to overlook. COVID-19 has been linked to several cases of thyroid inflammation, but most involve typical painful thyroiditis. Painless variants like this case are much less common, though they still affect thyroid function and the body’s energy levels.
The researchers explained that the SARS-CoV-2 virus likely triggers this condition by binding to specific receptors (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) found in thyroid cells. The virus’s presence in thyroid tissue has already been confirmed in other studies.
Steroid Use Complicated the Diagnosis
This case was especially difficult to interpret because the patient began using anabolic steroids before consulting an endocrinologist. These substances can interfere with hormonal test results, confusing doctors. However, researchers noted that the man’s thyroid issues began before he started using steroids, and his thyroid function later returned to normal even though he continued using them. This sequence of events made it more likely that COVID-19—not the steroids—caused his thyroiditis.
Doctors Recommend Early Thyroid Testing After COVID-19
This case report urges physicians and patients alike to consider checking thyroid health after recovering from COVID-19, especially if symptoms like fatigue, sweating, or difficulty swallowing appear. In people who engage in intense physical activity or sports, even mild thyroid dysfunction can affect performance and lead to unnecessary steroid use.
Despite the lack of complete diagnostic tests, the combination of
symptoms, hormone levels, and timing strongly suggests a case of post-COVID-19 painless thyroiditis. While the condition eventually resolved on its own, the report highlights how such cases can be easily missed or misdiagnosed.
A Warning for Athletes and Doctors Alike
This unusual case is a reminder that COVID-19 can cause long-term, hidden effects on various organs—including the thyroid. For athletes and those returning to training after infection, it's important to test thyroid function before resuming intense physical activity. Doctors are also advised to consider thyroiditis when encountering unexplained low TSH levels, especially in patients who may be using performance-enhancing substances.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: BMC Infectious Diseases
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-025-12144-2
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
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