Thyroid dysfunction in elderly people
Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2011, Vol 24, Issue 5
Abstract
The function of the thyroid gland changes with ageing. It is known that serum TSH concentrations increase with age (independent of the presence of antithyroid antibodies, although the number of people with positive antithyroid antibodies also increases with age). It is difficult to interprete the results of thyroid tests in the elderly because of concomitant chronic diseases and the use of medications, which can influence the results of laboratory tests; the iodine supply in the population and the presence of antithyroid antibodies may also play role.Thyroid dysfunction (especially subclinical) is more often seen in older than in younger populations and is difficult to diagnose because of lack of symptoms or scant clinical symptoms, which might be non specific or masked by medications taken by patients. Both hypothyreosis and hyperthyreosis are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cognitive function impairment. Hyperthyreosis (even subclinical) is a predictor of increased mortality, while higher TSH serum concentrations in the elderly are associated with lower mortality. So the lower activity of thyroid gland in the elderly might be beneficial and lead to better survival. The results of studies on genetic predisposition to elevated serum TSH associated with longevity are very interesting.The problem of screening tests for thyroid gland dysfunction in the elderly as well as treatment of subclinical hypothyreosis in this group of patients remains unsolved.
Authors and Affiliations
Ewa Czerwińska, Magdalena Walicka
Keywords
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