Can Covid-19 Trigger Thyroid Issues?
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland. The thyroid gland lies on the front of your neck, directly below your Adam’s apple. It consists of two lobes, the right and left, each roughly the size of a plum cut in half, and these two lobes are linked by the isthmus, a short bridge of thyroid tissue.
It produces two hormones that are released into the bloodstream: thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) (T3). These hormones are crucial for all of your body’s cells.
Thyroid issues are quite frequent and primarily affect women, though they can affect men, teenagers, children, and neonates. One in every twenty people has a thyroid issue, which can be acute or permanent.
Several studies have found a relationship between covid 19 and thyroid issues. Thyroid dysfunction and COVID-19 have been correlated in a study presented at the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology in Milan, Italy. One year after infection, scientists discovered that those with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 still had thyroid problems.
The Link Between Covid-19 And Thyroid Issues:
According to a study published in PubMed Central and the National Library Of Medicine, thyroid dysfunction during and after COVID-19 has been reported in clinical research and is usually reversible. Most thyroid issues, including Graves’ disease, euthyroid sick syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and subacute thyroiditis, have been linked to COVID-19, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been linked to their etiology. COVID-19 may cause the activation of pre-existing thyroid illness or autoimmunity.
Furthermore, According To This Study, individuals with uncontrolled thyrotoxicosis are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection-related complications. Patients should be given additional care because of the neutropenia induced by antithyroid drugs, which may mask the indications of COVID-19. Thyroid dysfunction during COVID-19 is thought to be induced by direct thyroid infection or “cytokine storm”-mediated autoimmune effects on the thyroid.
According To Another Research, one potential mechanism by which COVID-19 could cause specific autoimmune illnesses is molecular mimicry with immune system activation.
Thyroid autopsies in COVID-19-infected patients do not reveal the presence of viral particles in the thyroid gland, indicating an indirect, immune-mediated pathway associated with detrimental alterations and cellular apoptosis.
Why And When Do You Need A Thyroid Blood Test:
T3 and T4 travel through your bloodstream to practically every cell in your body. Hormones control the rate at which cells/metabolism work. T3 and T4 hormones control your heart rate and how quickly your intestines digest food. As a result, if your T3 and T4 levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than usual, and you may experience constipation/weight gain.
If your T3 and T4 levels are elevated, you may experience a high heart rate and diarrhea/weight loss.
Other symptoms of having too much T3 and T4 in your body (hyperthyroidism) include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability or moodiness
- Nervousness, hyperactivity
- Sweating or sensitivity to high temperatures
- Hand trembling (shaking)
- Hair loss
- Missed or light menstrual periods
Other symptoms that may indicate a lack of T3 and T4 in your body (hypothyroidism) include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dry skin and hair
- Depression
- Sensitivity to cold temperature
- Frequent, heavy periods
- Joint and muscle pain
There are sometimes only a few symptoms. A blood test will determine whether you have a thyroid issue.
Other thyroid disorders include:
- Thyroid eye disease is another thyroid issue that affects some patients who have an overactive thyroid due to Graves’ disease.
- Nodules or swellings – these lumps can cause the thyroid gland to malfunction.
- Thyroid cancer is extremely rare, but any lump should be checked by your doctor.
- A thyroid issue can sometimes be triggered by having a child. It is postpartum thyroiditis. It is just momentary, but it can reoccur every time you have a baby.
The most prevalent cause of thyroid issues is autoimmune thyroid disease, which is a self-destructive process in which the immune system kills thyroid cells as if they were foreign cells. As a result, the thyroid gland turns underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) (hyperthyroidism). Covid 19 affects your immunity. So it can trigger thyroid issues.
We offer the following four types of Thyroid blood test panels at Walk-In Lab:
Thyroid #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel:
This test is frequently ordered as a routine visit for healthy thyroid function or when someone is having signs of thyroid issues.
It Includes:
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Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
TSH is released in the pituitary gland and stimulates thyroid hormone production. TSH levels assist with determining whether the thyroid is underactive or hyperactive.
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T4:
It is a thyroid hormone that aids in the maintenance of the body’s metabolism and other systems and processes.
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T3 Uptake:
It aids in determining the number of proteins in the blood that transport thyroid hormones throughout the body.
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The Free Thyroxine (T4) Index:
It compares the quantity of free T4 in the blood to that is bound to proteins.
Preparation:
Fasting is not essential for preparation. Stop taking biotin at least 72 hours before the collection.
Test Results:
1-2 days for test results
Thyroid #2 Essential Blood Test Panel:
It includes:
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Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH):
TSH levels aid in determining whether the thyroid is underactive or hyperactive. This complete thyroid hormone assessment includes T-3 Uptake, T4, Free Thyroxine Index (T7), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) (TSH).
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Free T3:
This test can assess thyroid function and abnormal binding protein diseases.
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Free T4:
When binding globulin (TBG) abnormalities are suspected, or when standard test results appear to be contradictory with clinical observations, free T4 may be necessary. It is normal in euthyroid people having high thyroxine-binding globulin hormone binding (free thyroxin should be normal in nonthyroidal diseases).
Preparation:
Fasting is not essential for preparation. Stop taking biotin at least 72 hours before the collection.
Test Results:
1-2 days for test results.
Thyroid #3 Extreme Blood Test Panel:
It includes:
- Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T3
- Free T4
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Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies:
Thyroid microsome (thyroid peroxidase) antibodies are detected in 70% to 90% of patients with chronic thyroiditis. They are also present in a lower proportion of patients with other thyroid issues.
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Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Antibody:
This test can evaluate the etiology of an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) and as a follow-up if other thyroid test findings (such as T3, T4, and TSH) indicate thyroid dysfunction. If a person has a known non-thyroid-related autoimmune illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or pernicious anemia, and develops symptoms that suggest thyroid involvement, one or more thyroid antibody tests could be necessary.
Preparation:
Fasting is not essential for preparation. Stop taking biotin at least 72 hours before the collection.
Test Results:
2-3 days for test results.
Thyroid #4 Comprehensive Blood Test Panel:
It includes:
- Thyroid Panel with Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Free T3
- Free T4
- Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies
- Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Antibody
- Reverse Triiodothyronine (rT3):
Changes in peripheral rates of conversion of T4 to T3 and reverse T3 cause a rise in rT3 concentrations in chronic or acute illnesses.
- The measurement of reverse T3 may be useful in assessing thyroid function and metabolism in neonates.
Thyroxine-Binding Globulin (TBG):
- TBG distinguishes between high T4 levels due to hyperthyroidism and enhanced TBG binding in euthyroid patients with normal levels of free hormones; documents cases of inherited TBG deficiency or increase; thyroid disease work-up
Estrogens, tamoxifen, pregnancy, perphenazine, and several forms of liver illness, including hepatitis, all increase TBG levels. Reduced TBG is associated with chronic liver disease, nephrosis, systemic disease, and high levels of glucocorticoids, androgens/anabolic hormones, and acromegaly.
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Thyroid-stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI):
TSI can help to diagnose thyrotoxicosis, clinically suspected Graves disease, and the risk of neonatal thyrotoxicosis in a pregnant female having active or previous Graves disease. It can also help to diagnose gestational thyrotoxicosis and assess the likelihood of Graves disease relapse following antithyroid medication treatment.
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Tri-iodothyronine (T3):
This blood test is also known as T3 Hormone, T3, Total, and Total. T3 is an active thyroid hormone that controls the rates at which oxygen and calories are turned into energy in our cells. It aids in regulation of the body’s metabolism, temperature, and heart rate.
Preparation:
Fasting is not essential for preparation. Stop taking biotin at least 72 hours before the collection.
Test Results:
4-6 days for test results.
A thyroid blood test can help to identify conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, and thyroid cancer. Walk-In Lab provides you the facility of 4 different types of thyroid panel tests. Our test results are accurate, and we have the best medical staff to help you throughout the testing phase. So if your doctor has advised you of a thyroid blood panel test, you can consider purchasing a lab test with Walk-In Lab.
References:
- Thyroid Disease. Retrieved from clevelandclinic.org: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease#:~:text=The%20thyroid%20gland%20is%20a,The%20thyroid%20is%20a%20gland.
- How Does COVID-19 Impact The Thyroid? Retrieved from bcm.edu: https://blogs.bcm.edu/2021/01/25/how-does-covid-19-impact-the-thyroid/
- . Potential Relationships Between COVID-19 And The Thyroid Gland: An Update. Retrieved from nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8894980/#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20has%20been%20suggested,%2D2%20infection%2Drelated%20consequences.
- Manifestations Of Thyroid Disease Post COVID-19 Illness: Report Of Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Graves’ Disease, And Subacute Thyroiditis. Retrieved from sciencedirect.com: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214624521000174
- How Does The Thyroid Gland Work? Retrieved from nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279388/
- . Thyroid Blood Tests. Retrieved from walkinlab.com: https://www.walkinlab.com/products/search/page:1/search:augustsales3?q=augustsales3
