The Covid-19 virus is here to stay so we should all be aware of what we can do to protect ourselves and others. The NHS give a list of symptoms and what to do if you catch Covid-19 – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/
Thyroid UK has received enquiries about whether people with thyroid disease are at an increased risk of Covid-19 so we have looked at the evidence so that we can inform you about this.
COVID-19 is a virus that can affect your lungs and airways and cause various symptoms, the most common of which is a cough, a high temperature (fever) and difficulty in breathing.
In people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and chronic lung disease the symptoms can be much worse. However, these symptoms are similar to other viruses such as a cold and the flu so having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the illness. You can only know that if you test for it. The Covid-19 test can be purchased from various high street pharmacies and online pharmacies.
The virus is spread by droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.. You can catch it by breathing in these droplets, or by touching surfaces covered in them or touching an object or the hand of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You are more likely to catch it indoors and in crowded places.
How long any respiratory virus survives will depend on a number of factors such as what surface the virus is on e.g. hard, soft, porous; whether it is exposed to sunlight; differences in temperature and humidity and exposure to cleaning products.
COVID-19 can be spread by close contact (within 2 metres or less). You can still catch or spread COVID-19 even if you do not have symptoms; are fully vaccinated or have had the virus before.
The incubation period is generally between 2 and 5 days but it can be up to 14 days so you could be infectious within this timeframe if you have been in contact with someone who had Covid, whether you have symptoms or not. Don’t forget, you can have Covid without symptoms.
Symptoms typically appear within four or five days after exposure. You can be infectious anywhere from 5 to 14 days of being in contact with someone who has Covid.
The NHS has more information on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/how-to-avoid-catching-and-spreading-covid-19/
The evidence out there seems to be contradictory. There is some evidence that people with thyroid disease have an enhanced risk of severe Covid-19 infection https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7387272/
However, a retrospective study in 2020 has shown that hypothyroidism was not associated with increased risk of hospitalisation, ventilation or death – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2020.00565/full
It is possible that untreated hypothyroidism, undertreated hypothyroidism (because the medication is not being taken or not taken properly) or poorly controlled hyperthyroidism may be at higher risk of complications from the virus – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9806267/
It will pay to be vigilant. Wash your hands regularly and you need to decide whether or not it is better to wear masks in public places.
Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease are autoimmune disorders that directly affect the thyroid i.e. the antibodies affect how the thyroid works. Thyroid disease autoimmunity does not mean that you have a depressed immune system. It means that your immune system is attacking your thyroid. These are two different things.
Thyroid medications do not weaken your immune system. Only immunosuppressants do this and those that are on immunosuppressants need to be extra vigilant and be shielded from people with Covid-19.
Anyone on high doses of steroids, such as those with thyroid eye disease, may be compromised because steroids can suppress the immune system. However, it has been found that giving steroids to people who are really ill with Covid-19 has been very helpful – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10461317/
If you are immunocompromised, you may be at higher risk of being very poorly with Covid-19. The NHS has some information that you may find useful – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk/covid-19-guidance-for-people-whose-immune-system-means-they-are-at-higher-risk#:~:text=a%20condition%20affecting%20their%20immune,or%20treatments%20for%20lung%20conditions
Thyroid UK recommends that everyone follows NHS and government advice about reducing the risk of infection which you can find here:
There does seem to be a link between COVID-19 and thyroid disease although, again, there is contradictory research. Here is a list of research in respect of Covid and thyroid diseases from around the world:
Thyrotoxicosis in patients with COVID-19:the THYRCOV study – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32698147/
So it seems that once you have had COVID-19, you need to be aware that it may affect your thyroid.
Read our new article on Vitamin D and COVID-19.
We are receiving a lot of queries from people who have thyroid autoimmune disease and who have been offered the COVID-19 vaccination.
Having an autoimmune condition i.e. Hashimoto’s/Graves’ disease is where antibodies attack a particular part of the body. Being immunocompromised means, “Having a weakened immune system. People who are immunocompromised have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders. It may also be caused by certain medicines or treatments, such as anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant. Also called immunosuppressed.”(https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/immunocompromised)
Therefore having an autoimmune condition does not mean you are on the vulnerable list for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccine is NOT obligatory although, of course, it would be safer for you and everyone else around you to have it.
There have been some reports of cases where people have received a Covid vaccine and developed clinical manifestations of Graves’ disease:
Here is a list of research:
As soon as any further research is published on this topic, we will add it to the list.
The vaccine has affected people differently so, if you haven’t already, you could take a look at the polls on our online community and our Facebook page to see what people who have thyroid disease are saying about having the vaccine:
https://www.facebook.com/thyroiduk/posts/3927830333948167
Stay safe everyone!
Date updated: 11.07.25 (V1.16)
Review date: 01.10.27
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