Primary hypothyroidism beyond the age of 60 years

OBJECTIVE: Primary hypothyroidism is common in the elderly. Yet its care re mains unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical, biological characteristics and outcome of 4 5 patients aged over 60 years admitted for in-hospital initiation of treatm ent for primary hypothyroidism were recorded. Causes and tolerance of treat ment (clinical and ECG monitoring in hospital) were seeked for. were mode predominantly fatigue (84.4%) RESULTS: Initial symptoms rate, con trasting with severe biological hormonal deficiency. The most common routin e biological change was hypercholesterolemia (57.6%). Female predominence w as obvious (77.8%) and the most usual aetiology autoimmune chronic thyroidi tis. Despite variability of symptoms, long term followup demonstrates a pos itive response to treatment, including an improvement in fatigue, eye-lid s welling, bradycardia and overweight This clinical improvement was achieved on an average dose of 1.22 +/- 0.47 mg/kg/day L-T4 in order to maintain nor mal TSH (3.76 +/- 2.93 mUI/l). Cardiovascular incidents while starting trea tment require experienced care and low dose initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Primary hypothyroidism is still lately discovered in the elderl y. Yet, since treatment is efficacious and simple, the disease should be se arched for and cared after whenever a related symptom occurs.