Thyroid UK Statement regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[lynmynott]

Thyroid UK have received enquiries about whether people with thyroid disease are at an increased risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have checked with our medical advisers and have the following statement to make:

COVID-19 is a new virus that can affect your lungs and airways and cause various symptoms, the most common of which are 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.

Doctors are not completely sure how the virus is spread but it is probably spread by droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and may be caught by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person. How long any respiratory virus survives will depend on a number of factors such as what surface the virus is on; 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). It is not definite whether people with the virus who don’t have symptoms can infect someone else.

The incubation period is between 2 to 14 days so if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone who has the coronavirus, they have not been infected.

At the moment, there is not enough evidence regarding people with thyroid disorders. There have been papers written about COVID-19 but they do not discuss people with thyroid disease.

Although there is no reason to believe that people with thyroid problems are at any more risk from COVID-19 than people who are healthy, it will pay to be vigilant. Wash your hands regularly and, as the Government has now advised, work at home if you can, don’t travel on public transport unless it is necessary and avoid places where there will be a lot of people such as pubs, clubs and the theatre.

Thyroid UK recommends that everyone follows NHS and government advice about reducing the risk of infection.

Our advisers will be keeping us up to date periodically and we will be updating this statement when necessary.

For more information go to:

• gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus...

• gov.uk/government/topical-e...

• nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Thanks Lyn.

Can we make this a pinned post to make it easier to refer members to it when further questions are asked?

Direct links to click on for anyone that wants them:

gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus...

gov.uk/government/topical-e...

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir...

[junes]

People need to take VIt D3 and vit C to keep their immune system strong

Vit D is low in the winter as not enough sunlight. Thius is why people get flu in th winter not the summer. If the govt knew what it was doing it would tell poeple and wouldn't destroy our way of live and the millions of jobs because of a bad flu virus

The numbers do not stack up

As Jones said 'Don't panic'

[helvella Administrator in reply to junes]

If you are going to make recommendations, please add sources and rationale.

How do people who are intolerant of vitamin D take vitamin D?

There has been a huge run on vitamin C in particular due to people saying how much we should all be taking. In my view, even if it is useful, the crescendo of "take vitamin C" recommendations has itself become a panic which your response is adding to.

Please see my response to your other response:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you allege that the figures do not stack up, please let us know in what way, why you believe that, and what the figures really mean.

[DippyDame in reply to junes]

Are you suggesting that had the government previously dictated (!) to the population that they achieve optimum levels of vits C &D3 that this would have strengthened immune systems sufficiently to prevent covid-19?

The mind boggles!

Stay safe.

[jimh111]

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Thank-you.

[junes]

Well listen to the German doctor explainging about viruses here

armstrongeconomics.com/inte...

The WHO report estimates about 0.7% death rate of reported cases. Mild cases are never reported.

who.int/docs/default-source...

If you think about it how do we know how many cases there are in the UK when people are told to stay at home if they are ill and noone is being tested nor counted unless they are seriously ill and end up in ICU??

I've never heard of anyone being allergic to vit D3. If you are worried then get a naturally derived supplement not a synthetic one whcih the NHS dish out

For the elderly who often never go outside they are chronically short so 5000IU to 10,000 IU. Give K2 as well 100 mcg for long term supplementation. Cit C 1000mg.

If they get the disease then up the doses.

On a hot day in the summer our body can make 160,000 IU of D3

The Chinese are treating cases with IV vit C very successfully

[RedApple in reply to junes]

junes, 'I've never heard of anyone being allergic to vit D3.'

I am not 'allergic' to vitamin D supplements. But I am totally intolerant. I can sunbathe but taking supplements makes me extremely ill. Just because you've never heard of it, doesn't mean it's not true. And please don't tell me which supplements I should or should not take, nor how much. Over the years, I have tried every type and dose, with the same intolerance. My vit D blood measurement is on the floor and always is.

[junes in reply to RedApple]

I thought the administrator was asking for clarification and other people might be interested.

Sorry to hear your vit D levels are low.

[ShootingStars in reply to RedApple]

Vitamin D intolerance can be caused by a mutation of the gene VDR, as well as several other genes. There is a facebook group that you might find very helpful with your D intolerance. It's called Vitamin D Wellness.

[RedApple in reply to ShootingStars]

When vit D was being heavily investigated years ago, and people were being very strongly pushed to take supplements, the vast majority of medics flatly refused to acknowledge any possibility of intolerance to vit D supplements. If genetic reasons are being brought to light, that's encouraging to hear. More proof that there is no 'one size fits all' solution for everything!

Personally, I stopped worrying about it a long time ago, but thank you for mentioning this as your info may help others who read this post

Priscilla17

[rosemarie in reply to RedApple]

I am the same cannot tolerate any vitamin d tried a lot of them ,always and up feeling ill

[Starlet97 in reply to rosemarie]

I am similar with B vitamins.

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

I AM allergic to Vit D supplements - they induce a rash across my torso. My levels were low - I have got them up gradually by using a vit D spray into my cheek only once a week - with no reaction

[RedApple in reply to Hidden]

That's interesting Fancymare. Do you think that getting your D level up has actually made you feel better, or is it just that your test number is higher?

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

I definitely notice a difference in my nails - which have been awful for splitting vertically in the middle for years since being hypo - this has improved a lot; they aren’t brilliant but definitely better. I’d say that is what is most noticeable . Overall I feel there has been an improvement that I want to maintain. I now only use the spray about once a week as it is summer and I am outdoors quite a lot

[Bible1000 in reply to junes]

I can take d but vitamin c makes me I'll what could I take? D

[waveylines in reply to junes]

I have to disagree with the dosages of vit D3 you are recommending people take as standard. You should always have a blood test first to check your level as vit D3 is not a vitamin your body can excrete excess of. You may indeed need to temporarily take a higher dose of vit D3 as you describe June but you need to be periodically checking to see how high your levels are & take vit D3 dose accordingly. Then recheck 3-6 months later. Once they are at the optimal level then only a maintenance dose is needed or sunshine if you have access & can tolerate it.

People need to be aware that it is possible to overdose on vit D3 but blood tests should avoid this if you are topping up..

I find that my levels do periodically need a short top up on top of my maintenace dose but I am also intolerant of any direct sunshine. I check my level annually these days.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to waveylines]

Totally agree with you waveylines excess D3 builds up and can reach toxicity level.

[jezebel69]

I have always been hit hard by any virus. On hearing about ibuprofen and why we shouldn’t take for virus symptoms suddenly made everything clear. I am on T3 only and mostly symptom free but my basal body temperature is still low. This will inhibit our own body’s defence, not allowing it to kill off the virus with heat.

I’d love to hear other thoughts on this.

[helvella Administrator in reply to jezebel69]

Trouble with that thought is they recommend paracetamol instead - which also reduces fever!

Mind, how paracetamol does that is still not 100% clear!

The antipyretic effect of paracetamol occurs independent of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1–mediated hypothermia and is associated with prostaglandin inhibition in the brain

Full paper freely available here:

fasebj.org/doi/full/10.1096...

[jezebel69 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for that. Got plenty of time to read as I’m over 70 and with a high risk occupation so I’m isolating. Was I right in thinking our temperature will make a difference?

[helvella Administrator in reply to jezebel69]

I am not 100% sure, in fact, I'm miles away from being at all sure - the trouble is, as I understand, even if fever does help to kill off an infection, the high temperature itself can cause damage to our bodies.

So it could be that we reserve paracetamol (or whatever we decide we should take) for the peak fever? Stop the highest high temperature causing too much damage. Very difficult to know.

[jezebel69 in reply to helvella]

That sounds like a plan. Let’s hope we never need it. Stay well 👍

[Bible1000 in reply to jezebel69]

My temp is never above 36.5 never knew why is it because of a low immune system caused by having no thyroid and cancer D

[Neeta-K]

Thanks Lyn.

On BTF it says;

Who are at risk groups?

In the majority of cases people infected with coronavirus will have mild symptoms.

The UK government has identified the groups listed below as being at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19). It is therefore asking these groups of people to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (i.e. anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds). NOTE - people with thyroid conditions are NOT routinely offered the flu jab in the UK. This is because having a thyroid disorder (whether it is an autoimmune disease or not) is not generally considered to give you an increased risk of developing seasonal flu compared to any other member of the general population:

Well....I am offered the flu jab every year by my GP practice since I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I find the BTF confusing, as always. I thought everyone with hypothyroidism gets offered the flu jab, am I wrong?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Neeta-K]

I thought everyone with hypothyroidism gets offered the flu jab, am I wrong?

Wrong. I have had hypothyroidism since my mid-twenties in 1975. I wasn't offered the flu jab until I reached the age of 65.

The list of medical conditions that are listed for the flu jab being offered otherwise is here:

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

Plus, of course, the clinical judgement of the person's GP.

[lynmynott Partner Thyroid UK]

I was offered the flu jab via the GP surgery when I logged in for an appointment a few weeks ago. That was the first time and only because I am now over 65.

[Baggieswidow]

What about people who have had a total thyroidectomy? Also I am worried because I also have sleep apnea (I have a cpap machine), arthritis, chronic pain syndrome and verging on being diabetic, am I vulnerable?

[Roadrunnergreg]

This is more like a Con-o-virus it's a common cold, and just like colds can turn to pneumonia... people are more susceptible in the winter to colds/viruses because vitamin D gets low, vitamins produces cathelicidins which kills viruses, bacteria etc Vitamin C is also a critter killer

Eat foods high in carotenoids like carrots and green veggies, out of them the body produces Cytokeratin this puts a deadbolt on our cells and prevents viruses entering, if they cant get in they cannot replicate as viruses need human DNA to replicate...

This natural biology you wont get from your GP/NHS zs they dont understand nutrition and how we've survived millions of years as a species...

Hope that helps...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

Your response comes across as another example of "blame the patient". In this case, for NOT eating enough carotenoids and green veggies.

Current opinion seems to be somewhere around this:

U.S. health officials estimate that COVID-19, a disease caused by the coronavirus, is roughly ten times more deadly than the seasonal flu.

Could you explain how the body makes cytokeratin out of carotenoids, please?

How many people in Italy have died from colds - in any period you care to mention? We can then compare and see if covid-19 is more deadly than common colds.

Maybe you do not have anyone you care about who is in one of the higher risk groups?

[Roadrunnergreg in reply to helvella]

Coronovirus is in the books as a common cold... the main issue if anything is with weaker immune systems it can go to pneumonia, same as it's always been over the decades

Its been winter time, generally people eat more hot comfort foods and less fruits and veg. Theres less sun so less vitamin D, and C too hence why it's called the cold and flu season...

As for the flu shot, taking the shot puts you more at risk, seeing as Coronovirus is in the vaccine...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

Roadrunnergreg,

I think you are failing to appreciate that:

The common cold virus is a corona virus

The coronavirus which causes COVID-19 is NOT the common cold.

Something along the lines of:

Cats are good pets for people to have at home.

Lions are cats.

Lions are good pets for people to have at home.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

who.int/health-topics/coron...

You wrote:

As for the flu shot, taking the shot puts you more at risk, seeing as Coronovirus is in the vaccine...

Have you ANY evidence for this?

[DippyDame in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

I take it that you do not have a medical/scientific background..

Covid-19 is an entirely new (killer) virus and if we ignore that fact - and the medical and scientific advice - then we do so at our peril.

I see Helvella has already referred to this

Members on this forum have enough to cope with without being subjected, and further concerned, by suggestions that are without a strong scientific foundation.

Listen to the experts , not the snake oil salesmen,.....and help save lives,

Stay safe.

[MiniMum97 in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

There are lots of different coronaviruses. Some more deadly than others. Please stop spreading dangerous misinformation.

[StitchFairy in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

If your prescription has any validity, then that seems to imply vegetarians and vegans won't be affected by this at all. Would be good to see some data around that from China, Italy etc.

[helvella Administrator in reply to StitchFairy]

I'll add this:

Maps of covid-19 incidence and 5G implementation in South America:

COVID-19

statista.com/statistics/110...

5G

speedtest.net/ookla-5g-map

[Hidden in reply to Roadrunnergreg]

Also remember that Vitamin D is fat soluble and that if there is no fat in your meal then to take with a piece of buttered toast.( as told to me by my Endo)

[tattybogle]

Roadrunnergreg,

since you last replied on this thread 2 months ago ( suggesting that covid19 is just flu, and we only need to eat healthy and ignore it) a perfectly healthy eating friend of my 21 year old daughter has died of it , causing huge shock and grief to her , his wife and family, his workmates , and me.

I did not enjoy reading your reply this morning , and if there was an 'unlike' button i would have used it.

Tat.

[DippyDame in reply to tattybogle]

Another loved one lost to this vilest of viruses....thoughts are with all concerned.

Take care

DD