Thyroid function analysis and other biochemical parameters in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19

Background and objective: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The effects of COVID-19 on the thyroid axis remain uncertain. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction, as previously demonstrated for SARS-CoV-1 infection, and to analyze electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) to determine the severity of the disease. Methods: Blood samples were taken from patients who were admitted to Erbil hospitals from July to October 2021. Infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 306 cases were labeled as moderate or severe. The samples were assessed for doing C-reactive protein (CRP), as a marker of systemic inflammation, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and (sodium, potassium, and chloride) electrolytes. Results: Patients comprised of 157 (51.3%) males and 149 (48.7%) females. The result revealed that 274 (89.5%), 278 (90.8%), 292 (95.4%) of patients had normal TSH, T3, T4 level respectively, 22 (7.2%), 23 (7.5%), 9 (2.9%) of patients had low TSH, T3, T4 level respectively, and 10 (3.3%), 5 (1.6%), 5 (1.6%), had high TSH, T3, T4 level respectively. There was no significant difference between moderate and severe cases in alterations of TSH, T3, T4 level. There was a significant difference between moderate and severe cases in sodium, potassium, and chloride electrolyte abnormality. Conclusion: The occurrence of thyroid dysfunction in moderate and severe cases. The severity of the COVID-19 infection is associated with abnormalities in sodium, calcium, and chloride electrolytes.