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A year after COVID infections, thyroid troubles persist
When was the last time you thought about your thyroid gland?
Your thyroid is no small player when it comes to your health. This tiny, butterfly-shaped gland that surrounds your trachea controls the metabolic rate of every cell in your body. It influences nutrient delivery and waste removal in every one of those cells, too.
As you can imagine, when your thyroid isn’t working properly, lots of things can go wrong.
That’s why it’s so disturbing to learn that a COVID-19 infection can throw your thyroid out of whack… not just for a few months, but for up to a year or more.
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Thyroid inflammation three months post-infection…
Early in the pandemic, Italian researchers found that the virus which causes a COVID-19 infection has a more far-reaching effect on the thyroid than other viruses do.
Dr. Ilaria Muller of the University of Milan wanted to determine if the thyroiditis connected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, follows the same pattern as that caused by other viruses.
She began monitoring patients at Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Policlinico Hospital in Milan who were hospitalized for moderate to severe COVID-19 disease.
Every three months, thyroid function was checked and routine blood and ultrasound testing was done, both to monitor function and to check for any signs of inflammation.
Dr. Muller discovered that there was, indeed, a difference in the way thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation) showed up in COVID-19 patients.
This included an absence of the typical neck pain, as well as a higher frequency of occurrence among men.
After three months, these patients showed normal thyroid function, although about a third of them still showed signs of thyroid inflammation.
A year later and it hasn’t gone away
Just last month, at the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology Dr. Muller and her colleagues presented updated research on how severe COVID-19 infection affects thyroid function.
Turns out that the effects last a lot longer than three months.
In about half of the patients in their study, regions of thyroid inflammation were still present one year after the COVID-19 infection had resolved.
In addition, in four out of six people, testing showed that the thyroid’s uptake of iodine was still reduced after nine months, indicating the presence of low-level thyroid inflammation.
As of now, the long-term health consequences of this extended period of thyroiditis are unknown. But we do know that thyroiditis can result in either over- or under-production of essential thyroid hormones.
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Taking care of your thyroid
Thyroid trouble can be hard to detect, but often these symptoms present:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Sensitivity to cold
- Weight gain
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Memory problems
If you’ve had COVID and suspect a thyroid problem, your doctor can run some tests. But regardless of COVID, you’ll want to do everything you can to safeguard this small organ with big responsibilities.
Like most things, you can start with your diet.
In this article, my colleague Dr. Michael Cutler gives a comprehensive summary of foods and supplements that boost thyroid function.
Dr. Isaac Eliaz also provides some good information on the signs of a thyroid problem, as well as minerals that will help, and one food to avoid if you have thyroid issues.
Did you know that ingesting too much fluoride can destroy your thyroid? Most states add fluoride to their water. But you can access information here to see how much may be in the water in your community.
And finally, be aware that the phthalates hiding in plastics and personal care products are waging warfare on your thyroid gland.
Editor’s note: Have you heard of EDTA chelation therapy? It was developed originally to remove lead and other contaminants, including heavy metals, from the body. Its uses now run the gamut from varicose veins to circulation. Click here to discover Chelation: Natural Miracle for Protecting Your Heart and Enhancing Your Health!
Sources:
Effects of COVID-19 infection on the thyroid gland still present after one year — Medical Express
COVID-19 can cause atypical thyroid inflammation — Medical Express
By Joyce Hollman
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