Case Series: TED reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination

Due to the potential risk of autoimmune disease reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination noted by the American College of Rheumatology, researchers examined cases of new-onset and reactivation of thyroid eye disease (TED) following COVID-19 vaccination.

In a poster at ASOPRS 52nd Annual Fall Scientific Symposium, Park et al presented 3 cases of women patients who presented with TED symptoms within 24 hours to 21 days of receiving their first or second dose of either Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Two patients had a history of inactive disease with stable thyroid function tests. One patient had no history of TED or thyroid dysfunction but presented with low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone.

At presentation, all the patients had proptosis, with 2 presenting with periorbital edema, eyelid retraction, and diplopia. In all cases, symptoms were stable or improving after 2-5 months.

The researchers believe this to be the only case of new-onset TED after COVID-19 vaccination as well as the first description of TED reactivation after COVID-19. They suggested this may be due to “immune activation or non-specific adjuvant effects” or unrelated TED flares that “occurred concurrently with COVID-19 vaccination.”

Reference
Park KS, et al. Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Reactivation Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination. Presented at: ASOPRS 52nd Annual Fall Scientific Symposium.