Thyroid Disorders in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
By
Majd Irsheid
Nitzan Burrack
Merav Fraenkel
Eli Hershkovitz
Uri Yoel
April 22, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Thyroid Disorders in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Thyroid Disorders (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Graves’ Disease, Subacute Thyroiditis) Key Mechanisms Autoimmune responses triggered by COVID-19 infection. Target Population Adults (≥16 years) in Clalit Health Services, Israel. Care Setting Population-based healthcare study.
Key Highlights
30% increase in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis incidence during the pandemic. Non-significant upward trend in Graves’ Disease incidence. 54% reduction in Subacute Thyroiditis incidence during the pandemic. Significant female predominance (77%) across thyroid disorders. Study utilized interrupted time series analysis for incidence comparison. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize ICD-9 codes, laboratory results, and medication dispensing data for identifying new cases. Management
Monitor thyroid function tests in patients with COVID-19 for potential thyroid dysfunction. Monitoring & Follow-up
Regular follow-up for patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders post-COVID-19. Risks
Increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease following COVID-19 infection. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults aged ≥16 years in the Clalit Health Services.
Consider potential thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors.
Clinical Best Practices
Conduct population-level studies to understand the impact of COVID-19 on thyroid health. Validate diagnostic codes with laboratory and imaging criteria to avoid misclassification. Related Resources & Content
