In cases of COVID-19 associated with increased release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis is thought to be mediated via deranged feedback regulation of the axis that includes altered hypothalamic ‘set-points’ that initiate thyrotropin-releasing hormone release in response to low T3 levels; and changes in the central regulation of the thyroid axis, including decreased TSH pulsatility and changes in the peripheral components of the thyroid axis17,38. The gene discussed is TRH; the disease is COVID-19.