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  • Review Article
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Thyroid dysfunction in the elderly

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 9, pages 194–204 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction is common in the general population, and mild or subclinical forms can be present in more than 10% of individuals aged >80 years. The diagnosis of abnormal thyroid hormone concentrations in people aged >60 years poses a challenge, as the clinical presentation of thyroid dysfunction is usually nonspecific, and ageing is associated with a number of physiological changes that can affect thyroid function test results. Furthermore, the presence of acute or chronic nonthyroidal illnesses and the use of medications that interfere with thyroid function tests are common confounders in the determination of thyroid status in the elderly. Early diagnosis and treatment of overt thyroid dysfunction is crucial in this population in view of the marked effects of abnormal circulating thyroid hormone levels on a number of organ systems, including the heart, the skeleton and the neurological system. The clinical significance of mild thyroid overactivity and underactivity remains uncertain, and the need for treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunction is much debated. A number of large epidemiological studies have identified associations between mild thyroid dysfunction and short-term as well as long-term adverse outcomes, and a small but increasing number of randomized controlled intervention studies have been reported. Guidelines recommend treatment of thyroid dysfunction on the basis of the degree of abnormal serum TSH concentrations, patient age and associated comorbidities. This Review describes the current evidence on the prevalence, diagnosis, management and long-term consequences of thyroid dysfunction in the elderly.

Key Points

  • Large epidemiological studies confirm an increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in elderly people; subclinical or mild thyroid dysfunction is more prevalent than overt forms of thyroid hormone excess or deficiency

  • Diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction is difficult in elderly individuals given its sometimes asymptomatic clinical presentation and the effects of a number of physiological changes on the biochemical evaluation of thyroid function

  • Overt hyperthyroidism is associated with significantly increased risks of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and mortality, especially in the elderly population

  • Treatment of subclinical hyperthyroidism is warranted when serum TSH concentrations are undetectable owing to important associations with cardiovascular disease and reduced BMD

  • Biological end points of hyperthyroidism correlate with serum free T4 levels; risk of atrial fibrillation and fracture susceptibility are increased with serum free T4 concentrations at the upper limit of the reference range

  • Studies on the long-term consequences of hypothyroidism on cardiovascular disease risk are inconsistent, but treatment of serum TSH concentrations >10 mIU/l with levothyroxine monotherapy is recommended in most guidelines

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Figure 1: Photomicrographs of haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of normal thyroid tissue in a 17-year-old (a) and a 58-year-old woman (b) at identical magnification (original magnification ×10).

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    Kristien Boelaert

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Boelaert, K. Thyroid dysfunction in the elderly. Nat Rev Endocrinol 9, 194–204 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2013.30

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