A Prospective Study Of Functional Thyroid Disorders In Geriatric Subjects

It is proposed that aging represents a trigger for the formation of autoimmune phenomena resulting in the production of both organ- and non-organ-specific antibodies. Aging affects both the clinical presentation and prevalence of hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Subclinical disturbances of thyroid function are more frequent than overt thyroid diseases in the general population, as well as in elderly people . Hence the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism- characterized by normal free thyroxine (FT4) and elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels, increases with aging and ranges from 3 to 16% in individuals aged 60 years and older.