AGE MODULATES EFFECTS OF THYROID-DYSFUNCTION ON SEX-HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN (SHBG) LEVELS

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are difficult to detect in elderly peo ple and TSH is sometimes unreliable. We therefore tested the value of SHBG as a marker of thyroid hormone action on the liver to determine t he thyroid status of elderly people. Aging euthyroid men and women hav e a significant increase in SHBG (p > 0.0001). In aging women the decr ease in SHBG with hypothyroidism and increase with hyperthyroidism are highly significant (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0005 respectively). No signi ficant variation in SHBG was observed in men with thyroid dysfunction. SHBG can help to determine the thyroid status of aging women.