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The following is a summary of “Thyroid disorders and COVID-19: a comprehensive review of literature,” published in the May 2025 issue of Frontiers in Endocrinology by Anbardar et al. 

Infectious disease literature increasingly recognized the endocrine effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including thyroid dysfunction and long-term complications linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to review existing proof and submit a preventive approach based on data published since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

They performed a comprehensive literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar and 2 authors independently applied the keywords “Thyroid, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Graves, Thyroid Eye Disease, or Thyroiditis” and “Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19” to search these databases. Titles and abstracts were originally screened, followed by full-text reviews of relevant articles to summarize published outcomes.  

The results showed that 28 manuscripts were selected for review, SARS-CoV-2 infection resembled other viral infections in its impact on thyroid function, often causing non-thyroidal illness syndrome that resolved without intervention and COVID-19 was also linked to subacute thyroiditis and autoimmune thyroiditis, both of which could progress to clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Individuals with existing thyroid disorders appeared to have comparable risks for SARS-CoV-2–related complications.  

Investigators concluded that evaluating thyroid function was essential in individuals with COVID-19 and that enhancing treatment effectiveness for SARS-CoV-2 infection reduced short-term and long-term complications. 

Source: frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1535169/full