THYROID-DISEASE IN OLDER PATIENTS - DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Thyroid gland dysfunction is a relatively common clinical problem in e lderly people and is associated with significant morbidity if left unt reated. The clinical features of thyroid disease may be subtle, easily overlooked or misdiagnosed. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is n ecessary. If potentially serious sequelae are to be avoided, the selec tion and interpretation of thyroid function tests must be appropriate. It is particularly important to consider both the effect of concurren t illness and the effect of certain drugs on thyroid function tests. W ith recent methodological advances, thyroid function tests are now mor e reliable, though in certain situations they still need to be interpr eted with caution. Once the diagnosis is established, the management o f both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is relatively simple and eff ective, though there are special considerations relating to elderly pa tients.