SARS-CoV-2-related thyroid disorders: a synopsis for nuclear medicine thyroidologists

Excerpt

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the enveloped RNA β-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The COVID-19 may have a variable presentation, from an asymptomatic disease to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multi-organ failure. Impairment of endocrine systems may also occur in COVID-19 patients and thyroid gland involvement was reported in a not negligible number of patients, as documented in several studies since the pandemic outbreak. Abnormal thyroid function tests (TSH and/or thyroid hormones) are frequently reported in COVID-19 patients with variable prevalence and mild to moderate severity in available studies, as recently reviewed by our group [1]. In addition, to provide thyroid imaging and radioiodine therapy, nuclear medicine physicians are also involved, especially in Europe, in clinical patients’ management. Then, being aware of the multiple and complex interactions between SARS-CoV-2 infection and thyroid function is relevant to nuclear medicine physicians in order to provide adequate and high-quality diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. …