Post-COVID cases related to hormonal imbalances on a rise at Lucknow's SGPGIMS

After Lucknow faced dire repercussions of the second wave, patients with post-COVID issues are on a rise in the city. As per the records of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), the hospital is witnessing an average of 10 cases of post-COVID hormonal imbalances, every day. According to a recently published review article, post-COVID patients are facing problems related to the pancreas, endocrine glands and even those leading to male sexual disorders.

Endocrine functions & diabetes management affected due to the virus

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Professor Gyan Chand of SGPGIMS informed that the aforesaid findings were revealed in the latest review article, published in the Journal of Endocrine Society. He said, "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 per cent of post-Covid patients."

He further informed that this condition has extended effects that may cause problems across various parts of the body, including the endocrine system. As per medical observations, it has been concluded that the pathophysiology and management of diabetes are being affected by this problem. In addition to this, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, bone and gonadal functions are also altered due to post-COVID complications. Notably, gonadal imbalances deteriorate sperm quality and testosterone levels in males.

4-6 months of treatment required for such patients

According to the doctor, such post-COVID patients require treatment for nearly 4 to 6 months. The medical professional said, "It is known to everyone that COVID virus sticks to ACE-2 receptors. Hence, it is affecting all the endocrine glands." Further, he stated that post COVID patients have also reported scrotal discomfort and pain. Given a wide range of disturbing experiences, the doctors are continuously studying the nature and consequences of post-COVID effects.

- With inputs from IANS