Cited by 129Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionThyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Subclinical hypothyroidism and functional mobility in older adults

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Simonsick, Eleanor M.·2009·Archives of Internal Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health risks associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in older adults are unclear. Our objective was to compare the functional mobility of people aged 70 to 79 years by thyroid function categorized by thyrotropin (TSH) level as euthyroid (>or=0.4 to <4.5 mIU/L), mild subclinical hypothyroid (>or=4.5 to <7.0 mIU/L), or moderate subclinical hypothyroid (>or=7.0 to <or=20.0 mIU/L with a normal free thyroxine level) cross-sectionally and over 2 years. METHODS: A total of 2290 community-dwelling residents participating in the year 2 clinic visit (July 1998-June 1999) of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study, who had measured TSH level, had the capacity to walk 20 m unaided, and were not taking thyroid medication or had TSH levels consistent with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Main outcome measures included self-reported and performance-based measures of mobility (usual and rapid gait speed and endurance walking ability) assessed at study baseline (year 2) and 2 years later. RESULTS: In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, the mild subclinical hypothyroid group (vs the euthyroid group) demonstrated better mobility (faster mean usual and rapid gait speed [1.20 vs 1.15 m/s and 1.65 vs 1.56 m/s, respectively; P < .001] and had a higher percentage of those with good cardiorespiratory fitness and reported walking ease [39.2% vs 28.0% and 44.7% vs 36.5%, respectively; P < .001]). After 2 years, persons with mild subclinical hypothyroidism experienced a similar decline as the euthyroid group but maintained their mobility advantage. Persons with moderate subclinical hypothyroidism had similar mobility and mobility decline as the euthyroid group. CONCLUSION: Generally, well-functioning 70- to 79-year-old individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism do not demonstrate increased risk of mobility problems, and those with mild elevations in TSH level show a slight functional advantage.

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Crossref · 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.392

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  • Scant data exist about the relationship between thyroid function, functional status, and future disability in this age group.

    “Scant data exist about the relationship between thyroid function, functional status, and future disability in this age group (43, 46, 47).”
  • The Health ABC study showed that in a cohort with a mean age of 75 years, the group with higher serum TSH (4.5-6.99 mU/L) had faster gait speed and better cardiorespiratory fitness than those with lower TSH.

    “This is consistent with the Health ABC study, showing that in a cohort with a mean age of 75 years, the group with higher serum TSH (4.5–6.99 mU/L) had faster gait speed and better cardiorespiratory fitness than those with lower TSH (46).”

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Authors
Simonsick, E. M.
Affiliations
National Institute on Aging (US)
Corresponding author
Simonsick, Eleanor M.
Venue
Archives of Internal Medicine
Published
2009-11-23
Volume
169
Issue
21
Pages
2011
ISSN
0003-9926 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2103230758
Cited by
129
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 6
FWCI
4.11
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (n01ag062101-007, n01ag062103-006, N01‐AG‐6‐2106, n01ag062106-007, N01-AG-6-2101, n01ag002103-000)
  • National Institute on Aging (N01‐AG‐6–2101, N01‐AG‐2103, N01 AG062106, N01AG62106, N01 AG062103, N01 AG062101)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Keywords
subclinical hypothyroidism, functional mobility, older adults, thyroid-stimulating hormone, walking speed, cardiorespiratory fitness, mobility decline, Health ABC Study
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, Female, Humans, Hypothyroidism, Male, Pennsylvania, Residence Characteristics, Tennessee, Thyrotropin, Time Factors, Biomarkers, Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic, Walking

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