COVID-19 vaccination and Hashimoto’s – when the immune system goes off track
A recent medical case report from Serbia raises serious questions about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines – particularly regarding autoimmune reactions. The authors document two cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis that occurred in direct temporal association with different COVID-19 vaccines. Although the study is not peer-reviewed, it provides relevant clinical data and raises important hypotheses for discussion.
Two patients, one diagnosis
The first case involves a 47-year-old woman of normal weight who received two doses of AstraZeneca and one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. A few months later, she was diagnosed with a sudden rise in anti-TPO antibodies and symptoms of hypothyroidism – a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
In another case, a 47-year-old man was diagnosed with elevated anti-thyroid antibody titers after three doses of Sinopharm. Although he had no clinical symptoms, ultrasound and laboratory results indicated an incipient autoimmune reaction.
Vaccine dose and body weight – an overlooked variable?
The authors’ central argument concerns the dosing strategy: all patients receive the same vaccine dose, regardless of body weight. According to the authors, this leads to higher antigen concentrations in the blood of people with lower body weight and thus a stronger immune response.
This hypothesis is based on the relationship between body mass, blood volume, and antigen abundance. Although heavier individuals have a larger blood volume, antigen is more concentrated in lighter individuals. It is hypothesized that this may promote excessive immune responses.
mRNA technology and adjuvants as triggers?
mRNA vaccines have been particularly criticized. mRNA particles encapsulated in lipids could theoretically enter any somatic cell, including thyroid cells. When these cells then express viral proteins on their surface, the immune system recognizes them as foreign and destroys them.
In addition, adjuvants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or other excipients can cause excessive immune activation. Repeated exposure to booster doses can overstimulate the immune system and destabilize it in the long term.
Repeated vaccinations – medical benefit or unnecessary burden?
The authors also question the medical rationale for repeated vaccination cycles. Antibody levels increase significantly after each dose, especially of the IgG class – but the long-term consequences of these elevated circulating antibodies remain unclear. This raises the question of whether continuous booster vaccination is really necessary or whether it increases the risk of autoimmune processes.
Predisposition as a risk factor
The authors also criticize the vaccination strategy for people with a genetic or familial predisposition. According to the study, anyone with a family history of Hashimoto’s disease, type 1 diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis should not be vaccinated at all – at least not without prior risk assessment.
Silent onset of chronic disease
Hashimoto’s disease often begins insidiously and unnoticed. This makes the disease particularly insidious. Therefore, the Serbian report calls for vaccinated people – especially those in risk groups – to be regularly tested for thyroid antibodies in order to detect early autoimmune reactions.
A worrying signal – not a one-sided opinion
Although the study documents only two cases, the authors report numerous similar observations in their clinical setting. They suspect that vaccination may trigger an autoimmune chain reaction in certain individuals—perhaps with a genetic predisposition or overstimulation due to an overdose—that ultimately leads to chronic thyroid disease.
Summary
The data presented do not provide evidence of a widespread risk, but they do provide strong evidence of a hitherto little-studied adverse effect of the vaccine. Against this background, the call for systematic monitoring of autoimmune markers in vaccinated individuals seems as justified as the discussion of dose adjustment and exclusion criteria for genetically vulnerable individuals.
Vaccination policies that focus on speed and quantity risk overlooking silent side effects like Hashimoto’s disease. This makes it even more important to give them a voice in science and health policy – before silent reactions develop into chronic diseases.
