HYPOTHYROIDISM IN THE ELDERLY - CLINICAL-ASSESSMENT VERSUS ROUTINE SCREENING

A total of 304 patients aged 65 years or over were prospectively studi ed over a four-month period to assess whether clinical findings or rou tine screening were more helpful in diagnosing biochemical hypothyroid ism. The most useful symptom relevant to a possible diagnosis of hypot hyroidism in the elderly was found to be dry skin. Dermatological sign s and certain ECG abnormalities (especially atrial fibrillation) were helpful when querying a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Almost 50% of pat ients receiving amiodarone had abnormal thyroid function tests (TFTs), Routine screening for hypothyroidism does not seem justifiable from o ur available data although this conclusion may have been different had hospital clinicians and general practitioners followed their patients up more closely after an initial abnormal result was obtained.