Longevity and thyroid dysfunctions in the elderly / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

ABSTRACT

This article summarizes the current literature about serum test parameters of thyroid function during aging and thyroid dysfunction in the elderly.The aim is to highlight the importance of the individualized strategy and employing additional caution before assigning diagnoses of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism to elderly patients and initiation of treatment modalities.In the last few years,the emergence of age-specific reference ranges for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has added to the complexity of diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in this age group,especially in thesubclinical category.Application of age-specific TSH reference ranges may avoid misclassification of elderly subjects without thyroid disease.Overt hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism require immediate treatment.Treatment of subclinical hyperthyroidism may be considered in the part of elderly patients,while follow-up care and monitoring must be provided for the other part of older subjeets.Careful waiting may be an appropriate approach for older patients with subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH＜ 10 mU/L.The senile elderly,especially extreme longevity people with TSH＜10 mU/L are generally not treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.