Impact of Covid-19 infection on thyroid functions

Hanaa S. Hamed ¹

Reda El khodary ²

Samah Mohamed Lotfy ¹

Maha Mahmoud Hamed Sakr ³

Mohammad Walaa Saied ¹

Hide authors affiliations

Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt |

Internal Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt |

Clinical Pathology department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt |

Publication type: Journal Article

Publication date: 2025-01-31

Springer Nature

Journal: Egyptian Journal of Bronchology

wos Q4

SJR: —

CiteScore: —

Impact factor: 1

ISSN: 16878426, 23148551

DOI: 10.1186/s43168-025-00366-6

Copy DOI

Abstract

Background

The 2019 coronavirus illness (COVID-19) has caused significant disruption on a worldwide scale. With several recent studies observing the rise of thyroid problems in afflicted individuals, the influence of COVID-19 on thyroid function is receiving more attention.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in COVID patients.

Methods

We evaluated thyroid function tests (TFTs) in 129 patients who were hospitalized to Zagazig University Hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients with pre-existing thyroid conditions or those on medications influencing (TFTs) were excluded. Serum levels of free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were measured on the first day of admission, followed by follow-up TFTs within the first six months, one year, and two years after discharge.

Results

We included 129 patients aged between 22 and 70 years, with 38 (29.5%) identified as male and 91 (70.5%) as female. Upon admission, (TFTs) were normal in 14.9% of patients. The findings also revealed 13.2% with subclinical hypothyroidism, 32.6% with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 6.2% with hypothyroidism, and 37.2% with hyperthyroidism. Two years after discharge, only 43.4% had normal TFTs, while 10.1% were being treated for hypothyroidism and 46.5% for hyperthyroidism.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the complex interplay between COVID-19, thyroid function, and vaccination status. The results indicate that thyroid dysfunction specifically hyperthyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or subclinical hypothyroidism might be a frequent outcome for patients recovering from COVID-19, particularly in those who experienced more severe cases.