Plasmapheresis: an effective therapy for refractory hyperthyroidism in the elderly.

ABSTRACT

Hyperthyroidism in the elderly often presents diagnostic challenges. Elderly patients rarely present with classical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. More commonly, their presentation is ayical which leads to a delay in making a diagnosis. Such delays can sometimes decrease the functional capacity of the affected patient and reduce their chance for recovery. Herein we report a 66-year-old woman whose diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was delayed. Standard therapies were ineffective. Plasmapheresis was performed to control the manifestations of the hyperthyroid state, resulting in improvement in the patient's condition.