Infectious Disease Reports (Mar 2022)

COVID-19 and the Endocrine System: A Review of the Current Information and Misinformation

  • Samir Ahmed Mirza,
  • Abdul Ahad Ehsan Sheikh,
  • Michaela Barbera,
  • Zainab Ijaz,
  • Muhammad Ali Javaid,
  • Rahul Shekhar,
  • Suman Pal,
  • Abu Baker Sheikh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/idr14020023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 184 – 197

Abstract

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection primarily involves the respiratory system but has many noteworthy extra pulmonary manifestations as well. We write this review to highlight the basis of some pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19 infection-induced endocrine dysfunction. Different scientific databases and institutional websites were searched to collect and consolidate the most up-to-date data relating to COVID-19 infection and endocrine systems. Hypopituitarism, central diabetes insipidus, SIADH, thyroid abnormalities, hyperglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, orchitis and alteration in sperm morphology have been reported in case reports of patients with COVID-19 infection. Data focusing on COVID-19 vaccination was also searched to summarize the effect, if any, on the endocrine system. Endocrinopathies noted post COVID-19 vaccination, including cases of adrenal hemorrhage, new onset Type II Diabetes Mellitus and subacute thyroiditis, are also discussed in this review. This review calls attention to the misinformation relating to COVID-19 vaccination with supposed endocrine effects such as infertility and problems with pregnancy. Rebutting these misconceptions can help increase compliance and maximize COVID-19 vaccination to the public.

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