Graves’ Disease Caused by SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  • Bruno Sousa
    Internal Medicine Department , Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Catarina Pestana Santos
    Internal Medicine Department , Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Ana Gonçalves Ferreira
    Endocrinology Department, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Tiago Judas
    Internal Medicine Department , Hospital Garcia de Orta, Almada, Lisbon, Portugal

Keywords

Graves’ disease, SARS-CoV-2, hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in hyperthyroidism, caused by autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TRAbs) stimulating thyroid hormone synthesis, giving rise to a variety of systemic manifestations such as goitre, dermatopathy and orbitopathy. 

The authors present the case of a 28-year-old man admitted to hospital for a 3-week history of fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations and diffuse goitre, after recent mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory investigation revealed hyperthyroidism with TRAbs elevation. Thyroid ultrasound confirmed a diffusely heterogeneous and irregular thyroid gland and a nodular image below the sternal notch. Thyroid scintigraphy excluded the nodule and confirmed a Graves’ disease pattern. Following the initiation of methimazole, the patient had complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of thyroid values.

The results suggest a possible association between Graves’ disease and SARS-CoV-2 infection acting as a trigger. Graves’ disease is an important differential diagnosis to keep in mind when patients present with hyperthyroidism after COVID-19 disease.

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Published: 2022-07-20
Issue: 2022: Vol 9 No 7 (view)


How to cite:
1.
Sousa B, Pestana Santos C, Gonçalves Ferreira A, Judas T. Graves’ Disease Caused by SARS-CoV-2 Infection. EJCRIM 2022;9 doi:10.12890/2022_003470.