Cited by 95Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsThyroid and Parathyroid SurgeryPharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes

The Aging Thyroid: The Use of Thyroid Hormone in Older Persons

Sawin, Clark T.·1989·JAMA

Abstract

The overall prevalence of thyroid hormone use in an unselected population of older adults (n = 2575; average age, 68.6 years) was 6.9% (10.0% in women and 2.3% in men). Eighty-one percent of women taking it were doing so for appropriate indications, eg, hypothyroidism, while 12% were not, eg, for obesity or high serum cholesterol; more men (29%) were taking it inappropriately. Inappropriate use was associated with desiccated thyroid more than with thyroxine. After follow-up averaging 6.9 years, 58% of inappropriate users were still taking it. Underuse also occurred. Thirty-seven percent of those definitely hypothyroid had a clearly elevated serum thyrotropin level (greater than 10 mU/L) despite thyroid therapy. Thyroid therapy is common in the elderly; most is appropriate. When inappropriate use occurs, it is more common in men and more often associated with desiccated thyroid, still commonly used in this age group. In chronic users of thyroid hormone, it is important to review currently appropriate indications and to measure serum thyrotropin levels to assess the adequacy of treatment of primary hypothyroidism.

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Crossref · 10.1001/jama.1989.03420180077034

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Authors
Sawin, C. T.
Affiliations
United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
Corresponding author
Sawin, Clark T.
Venue
JAMA
Published
1989-05-12
Volume
261
Issue
18
Pages
2653
ISSN
  • 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
  • 0098-7484
OpenAlex
W2043303113
Cited by
94
References
16
Citations by year
2023: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JAMA (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
Keywords
thyroid hormone replacement, older adults, hypothyroidism, inappropriate prescribing, desiccated thyroid, levothyroxine, serum thyrotropin, sex differences in prescribing
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aged, Drug Utilization, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Goiter, Humans, Hypercholesterolemia, Hypothyroidism, Male, Sex Factors, Thyroid Diseases, Thyroid Hormones, Cohort Studies

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