THYROID-DISEASE AND ASSOCIATED ILLNESS IN THE ELDERLY

Thyroid diseases are known to occur with increasing frequency in the e lderly population. Clinical manifestations can be very subtle and may often be misleading due to advanced age, concurrent disease, and the p rescribed medications. This article deals with basic thyroid physiolog y and nonthyroid surgery in elderly patients with hypo- or hyperthyroi dism. In addition, the problems associated with thyroid nodule in the elderly population and perioperative management of high-risk cardiac p atients undergoing nonthyroid as well as thyroid surgery are also emph asized.