Coronavirus Disease 2019-Induced Thyroiditis

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that presents with acute respiratory symptoms that are well documented and sequelae that are yet to be fully understood.

Case report: We present the case of a 51-year old woman, recently diagnosed with COVID-19, who presented with symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, difficulty swallowing, and anterior neck discomfort. We ultimately diagnosed her with COVID-19-induced thyroiditis and discharged her on propranolol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Thyroiditis can present with symptoms similar to other etiologies like pulmonary embolism. We discuss the process of evaluating and treating thyroiditis. We further discuss the risk of administering iodinated contrast media that could further exacerbate thyroid dysfunction.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease 2019; viral thyroiditis.