Prevalence of Thyroiditis Following Either COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination in a Group of Egyptian Hashimoto Cases

Abstract Background Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), the most frequent autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs), is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the iodine-sufficient areas of the world. COVID-19 is a highly transmissible infectious disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Virus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2), belong to the family of beta-coronaviruses. The disease rapidly spread, leading to COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Aim of the Work The aim of this study was to evaluate the thyroid function consequences following either (COVID-19) infection or vaccination, in relation to their clinical features, biochemical, immunological, and inflammatory markers. Patients and Methods This study was a pilot study, conducted on 80 subjects attending COVID vaccination center and Emergency isolation in Ain Shams university hospital during the period from August to October 2022 14 males, 66 females, age>18 years old and <70 years’ old to evaluate the thyroid function consequences following either (COVID-19) infection or vaccination, in relation to their clinical features, biochemical, immunological, and inflammatory markers. Results Our study showed significant increase in the level of TSH and decrease in the level of free T3, Free T4 in Hashimoto’s patients who exposed to COVID19 infection. Also it showed significant increase in the level of free T3, Free T4 and decrease level of TSH in normal subjects after exposure to COVID19 infection. Additionally, our study showed increase level of free T3, Free T4 in normal subjects after being exposed to COVID19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) in contrast to TSH being decreased in them. Furthermore, we found significant increase in the level of free T3, Free T4 in Hashimoto’s subjects after their exposure to AstraZeneca vaccine, with non significant difference regarding –anti- TPO, Antithyroglobulin. Conclusion COVID19 infection and vaccination against COVID might be followed by an attack of thyroiditis (disturbed thyroid function test) in Hashimoto patient and even in normal person.