Also known as post viral thyroiditis, it involves inflammation of the thyroid gland, a condition seen after suffering an upper respiratory infection.
The most prominent
characteristic of subacute thyroiditis is gradual or a sudden onset of pain in
the gland. Painful enlargement of the thyroid gland may exist for weeks or
months.
It
is true that as newer strains and different after-effects of the virus continue
to emerge, doctors and scientists stay wary. According to an article published
in The
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, patients — who
did not previously live with thyroid disease — were found to have developed
subacute thyroiditis, a thyroid disease of viral or post-viral origin, after
having been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Dr
Sweta Budyal, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist, Fortis Hospital,
Mulund tells indianexpress.com that
during and post-COVID recovery, patients and providers are recommended to keep
tab of symptoms. “Wavering thyroid levels can act as a marker to detect COVID,
and hence, physicians should be alerted about the possibility of this
additional clinical manifestation,” she says.
What
is subacute thyroiditis?
Also
known as post viral thyroiditis, it involves inflammation of the thyroid gland,
a condition seen after suffering an upper respiratory infection. It is an
uncommon condition caused by viral infection of the gland. Mumps virus,
influenza virus, and other respiratory viruses have been found to cause
subacute thyroiditis, the doctor explains.
What
are the causes and risk factors?
“The
most prominent characteristic of subacute thyroiditis is gradual or a sudden
onset of pain in the gland. Painful enlargement of the thyroid gland may exist
for weeks or months. Symptoms of excessive secretion of thyroid hormone
(hyperthyroidism) such as nervousness, rapid heart rate, and heat intolerance
may be present early in the disease. Later, symptoms of too little thyroid
hormone (hypothyroidism) such as fatigue, constipation, or cold intolerance may
occur. Eventually, thyroid gland function returns to normal. But this must not
be taken lightly,” warns Dr Budyal.
She goes on to say that there are “multiple potential
peripheral and central mechanisms, by which, COVID-19 infection may lead to
subacute thyroiditis”.
“It
occurs mostly in middle-aged women with recent symptoms of viral respiratory
tract infection. It is a self-limiting illness with three distinct phases — an
initial thyrotoxic phase, followed by hypothyroidism, and then recovery of
thyroid function over weeks to months.”
The
symptoms
*
Pain in the front of the neck
* Tenderness when gentle pressure is applied to the thyroid gland (palpation)
* Fever
* Weakness and fatigue
* Nervousness
* Heat intolerance
* Weight loss
* Sweating
* Diarrhoea
* Tremors
* Palpitations
If caught on time, subacute thyroiditis due to COVID-19 shows a good response to anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid therapy. It is, however, important to note that the doctor treating COVID patients, or those who come in contact with such cases must report it at the earliest, says the doctor.
No comments:
Post a Comment