Warning! COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Can Cause Subacute Thyroiditis

COVID-19 News: Subacute thyroiditis, also known as granulomatous thyroiditis or De Quervain’s thyroiditis, is a relatively rare yet significant thyroid disorder characterized by its self-limiting nature. This condition leads to thyroid destruction, resulting in thyrotoxicosis, which can exacerbate comorbid conditions such as respiratory distress and diabetes, and in severe cases, lead to multi-organ failure and potentially evolve into permanent hypothyroidism.. Latest studies also show that subacute thyroiditis can increase the risk of not only thyroid cancers but even other cancers!

Patients typically present with classic symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, fever, anterior neck pain, and thyroid dysfunction. Despite decades of research, the pathogenesis and critical factors influencing the clinical course of this disease remain incompletely understood.


COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Can Cause Subacute Thyroiditis
 
The Emergence of COVID-19 Vaccines
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, an unparalleled global public health emergency has been instigated. In light of this crisis, scientists, medical professionals, and researchers worldwide have been diligently engaged in the pursuit of an efficacious vaccine against this rampant infectious ailment. Over time, numerous COVID-19 vaccines have been formulated, prompting governments across the globe to actively initiate large-scale vaccination campaigns, thereby fostering renewed optimism in curtailing the epidemic. However, the real efficacy of many of these vaccines are still be questioned.
 
During the process of vaccination, adverse reactions induced by vaccines are a matter of significant apprehension, necessitating continuous surveillance and comprehensive investigation.
 
Understanding Subacute Thyroiditis: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis
Subacute thyroiditis is a thyroid disorder that typically manifests 2 - 8 weeks following viral infection and exhibits a higher prevalence among women, particularly within the 40 - 50 age bracket. The classic initial clinical manifestations of SAT include neck pain or tenderness, fever, palpitations, accompanied by a range of thyroid dysfunction indicators, with early-stage thyrotoxicosis as the primary clinical feature. These symptoms result from a regressive process affecting the thyroid follicular epithelium, leading to the release of thyroglobulin, thyroxine, and an assortment of other iodine-rich molecular fragments into the systemic circulation, thus indicating a potential trend towards hypothyroidism in this patient subgroup.
 
Typically, most people with subacute thyroiditis will also have symptoms of hyperthyroidism and later develop symptoms of hypothyroidism. While often temporary, subacute thyroiditis can cause permanent complications if left untreated.
 
If an underactive thyroid isn't treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).
 
Instances of Subacute Thyroiditis Post COVID-19 Vaccination
Globally, there have been rising reported incidents of adverse re actions from diverse vaccine types as covered in various COVID-19 News coverages, but on the whole, instances of subacute thyroiditis ensuing from mRNA vaccination are more common. Such occurrences frequently manifest within a few days to weeks post-vaccination and exhibit characteristic symptoms of thyroiditis, encompassing severe neck pain, thyroid swelling, and thyroid function disruption. These reports meticulously detail patients presenting with thyroiditis symptoms post-vaccination, dismiss other influencing factors, and provide comprehensive information concerning their clinical manifestations, laboratory examination outcomes, and additional related details.
 
Below is a list of published studies and case reports showing that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can cause Subacute Thyroiditis.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645515.2021.2013083
 
https://www.acta-endo.ro/Archive/Abstract?doi=2023.390
 
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crie/2022/3180004/
 
https://casereports.bmj.com/content/14/11/e246425
 
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13596535231208831’
 
https://edm.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/edm/2021/1/EDM21-0142.xml
 
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12020-022-03101-z
 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521690X23000301
 
https://jkms.org/DOIx.php?id=10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e39
 
https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/advances/vol1/iss2/9/
 
https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12985-023-02103-1
 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214911221000965
 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cen.14716
 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2376060521001267
 
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/crie/2021/8952048/
 
https://www.aaceclinicalcasereports.com/article/S2376-0605(21)00126-7/pdf
 
https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7449/14/1/18
 
https://www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X(23)00295-1/pdf
 
https://www.jdeponline.com/article.asp?issn=2772-7653;year=2021;volume=4;issue=4;spage=206;epage=209;aulast=El;type=3
 
https://www.nuclmed.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/15.Frangos-Subacute-thyroiditis-after-the-third-dose-of-the-COVID-19...pdf
 
https://www.scielo.br/j/aem/a/6RvSdyMJDkNfHWbhW4qrMrg/?format=pdf&lang=en
 
Proposed Mechanisms Behind Vaccine-Induced Subacute Thyroiditis
The precise etiology of subacute thyroiditis following vaccination remains uncertain; however, several studies propose that vaccines may elicit immune system activation, particularly the autoimmune response, resulting in potential damage to thyroid tissue. Autoimmunity has been explained by several hypotheses, including molecular mimicry. Some scholars posit that the immune response triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein results in the generation of cross-reactive antibodies. These antibodies, in turn, engage with various tissue antigens, including thyroid tissue, thereby instigating the development of autoimmune diseases, such as SAT.
 
Clinical Management and Challenges in Diagnosis
However, due to the frequent overlap in clinical manifestations between SAT and other diseases, there is a potential for misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis.
 
Consequently, clinicians must be highly vigilant when encountering patients who exhibit thyroid-related symptoms post-vaccination, particularly in cases following COVID-19 vaccination. If vaccine-induced SAT is suspected, the priority should be to conduct timely and comprehensive clinical assessments along with thyroid function tests, to lay a solid foundation for accurate diagnosis and the prompt implementation of an appropriate treatment plan. Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential link between vaccinations and thyroid issues in order to provide more precise medical guidance.
 
Conclusion
In conclusion, while subacute thyroiditis induced by COVID-19 vaccines especially the mRNA vaccines seems to be rising, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to remain vigilant in assessing individuals with thyroid symptoms post-vaccination.
 
Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to prevent potential complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes. Continuous monitoring and research are necessary to understand and mitigate any potential adverse effects related to thyroid complications. Future studies should further investigate the association between vaccination and thyroid disorders to inform immunization strategies and prioritize public health and welfare.
 
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