Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jan 2023)

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on thyroid autoimmunity: A twelve-month follow-up study

  • Shuhei Morita,
  • Tomoyuki Takagi,
  • Tomoyuki Takagi,
  • Hidefumi Inaba,
  • Hidefumi Inaba,
  • Yasushi Furukawa,
  • Shohei Kishimoto,
  • Shinsuke Uraki,
  • Naoki Shimo,
  • Ken Takeshima,
  • Saya Uraki,
  • Kei Doi,
  • Mitsuyo Imagawa,
  • Mika Kokawa,
  • Tomomi Konami,
  • Hitomi Hara,
  • Yoshihiro Hara,
  • Emiko Sone,
  • Hiroto Furuta,
  • Masahiro Nishi,
  • Asako Doi,
  • Shinobu Tamura,
  • Taka-aki Matsuoka

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1058007
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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ObjectivesGraves’ disease (GD) has been highlighted as a possible adverse effect of the respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. However, it is unknown if the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine disrupts thyroid autoimmunity. We aimed to present long-term follow-up of thyroid autoimmunity after the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.MethodsSerum samples collected from seventy Japanese healthcare workers at baseline, 32 weeks after the second dose (pre-third dose), and 4 weeks after the third dose of the vaccine were analyzed. The time courses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb), and thyroid function were evaluated. Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) were additionally evaluated in thirty-three participants.ResultsThe median age was 50 (IQR, 38-54) years and 69% were female. The median anti-spike IgG antibody titer was 17627 (IQR, 10898-24175) U/mL 4 weeks after the third dose. The mean TRAb was significantly increased from 0.81 (SD, 0.05) IU/L at baseline to 0.97 (SD, 0.30) IU/L 4 weeks after the third dose without functional changes. An increase in TRAb was positively associated with female sex (β = 0.32, P = 0.008) and low basal FT4 (β = -0.29, P = 0.02) and FT3 (β = -0.33, P = 0.004). TgAb was increased by the third dose. Increase in TgAb was associated with history of the thyroid diseases (β = 0.55, P <0.001).ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine can disrupt thyroid autoimmunity. Clinicians should consider the possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine may disrupt thyroid autoimmunity.

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