Vaccine-induced thyroid dysfunction: increasing prevalence of thyroiditis

Subacute thyroiditis, often follows viral infections. Now often seen post vaccination. PREMIUM CONTENT subscriber access

https://www.verywellhealth.com/thyroiditis-5082138

Autoimmune thyroiditis is a very common condition, especially in older women. Estimated prevalence is 50% in those over 50 years. The hypothesized cause in these Baby Boomers was thought to be due to the fetal antigens/DNA associated with multiple pregnancies. [See prior newsletter: Mystery of Female Autoimmunity: Do women carry multiple persons in their person?]. However, incidence of the diagnosis is increasing in younger cohorts, who do not have this history. Instead, they experience many more vaccinations.

Inactivated vaccines use adjuvants such as aluminum salts and toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists; these may lead to autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome (ASIA syndrome). Subacute thyroiditis following COVID-19 vaccination has been described with ASIA syndrome, but also in response to mRNA and adenovirus vaccines, that are adjuvant-free.