ABSTRACT
Physiological systems have substantial reserves in younger individuals to maintain the vital activities of the body. The process of aging and intercurrent pathologic process gradually eliminates these reserves. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is age related. Because elderly patients with diabetes are living longer and are likely to use increasing amount of scarce health care resources in the next several decades, diabetes in age adults may ultimately prove to be the most important epidemic of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to investigate the interrelation between diabetes and some metabolic hormones in elderly people in order to improve status of patients with various metabolic defects of diabetes, because elderly patients with diabetes use almost twice as many inpatients and outpatients resources as elderly people without diabetes. This study was performed on 51 elderly subjects. Hormones studied included serum T3, T4 and cortisol. Other biochemical parameters included lipid profile and glucose. Results revealed increased prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, as well as increased levels of serum triglycerides in diabetic elderly than in normals. T3 and T4 showed values in patients less than in the control group, while cortisol appeared to be higher in the former. Furthermore nutritional recommendations for healthy lifestyle for elderly type 2 diabetes are very important because many persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight and insulin resistant medical nutrition therapy should emphasize lifestyle changes that result in reduced energy intake and increases expenditure through physical activity