Post-COVID Concern: Cases Of Hormonal Imbalance On Rise, Says Doctor

A major post-COVID impact is being seen in patients who are reporting hormonal imbalances. The Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) is getting, on an average, ten such patients every day.

Professor Gyan Chand of SGPGIMS said that the latest review article, published in the Journal of Endocrine Society has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the Covid-19 disease, is not only affecting the pancreas, but also other endocrine glands, even leading to male sexual disorders.

"The department of internal medicine at Loyola University Medical Centre, Maywood, Illinois (the US) and the department of medicine, division of endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System and endocrinology section, medical service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus is causing moderate to severe disease in about 15 percent of post-COVID patients."

He further said, "It has widespread effects throughout the body with myriad clinical manifestations, including the endocrine system. It is having an impact on the pathophysiology and management of diabetes (both outpatient and inpatient) as well as the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, bone, and gonadal function," he added.

The gonadal hormones were more affected in males resulting in altered sperm quality and reduced testosterone. He said these patients required proper treatment for four to six months. "In some cases, patients returning for treatment have reported widespread effects throughout the body with lesser-known clinical manifestations," he added.

The doctor said, "It is known to everyone that COVID virus sticks to ACE-2 receptors. Hence, it is affecting all the endocrine glands." He pointed out "There are several reports of scrotal discomfort, even severe scrotal pain in people once infected with Covid-19."

(IANS)