Medical research has identified that during the acute active infection, the adrenal system is one of the most heavily affected organ systems in the body in patients who have COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization. This literature focuses on three phases of COVID infection that may impact the adrenal gland: the acute active infection phase, the immediate post-infection phase, and the long-term recovery phase. One of the first highly effective therapies for COVID-19 infection was the use of IV steroid (dexamethasone) supplementation in hospitalized patients in patients requiring oxygen.Ī focused search of COVID-19-related health literature shows 85 peer-reviewed papers that have been published in medical literature specifically on the adrenal gland and COVID-19. Adrenal Nodules/Masses (termed incidentaloma)ĬOVID-19 was found in the adrenal and pituitary glands of some patients who succumbed to the illness, suggesting that these organs might be among the targets for infection.Addison’s Disease (where the body attacks the adrenal glands making them dysfunctional).
Some common adrenal diseases include the following: An example of a COVID-19 nasal swab test. The activity of the adrenal gland is controlled through its relationship with the pituitary gland (the master regulator of hormones in the body). The hormones include steroids such as glucocorticoid (cortisol), mineralocorticoid (aldosterone), and forms of adrenaline known as catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine). The adrenal glands make hormones to help regulate blood pressure and the ability to respond to stress. April is also Adrenal Insufficiency Awareness month, a good time to review the data on how COVID-19 infection can impact the adrenal glands. This month marks a little over one year since the first surge of COVID-19 across the United States.
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