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Cited by 84Thyroid Disorders and TreatmentsThyroid and Parathyroid SurgeryThyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid dysfunction in the elderly

Boelaert, Kristien·2013·Nature Reviews Endocrinology
DOI 10.1038/nrendo.2013.30
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Abstract

Thyroid dysfunction is common in the general population, and mild or subclinical forms can be present in more than 10% of individuals aged >80 years. The diagnosis of abnormal thyroid hormone concentrations in people aged >60 years poses a challenge, as the clinical presentation of thyroid dysfunction is usually nonspecific, and ageing is associated with a number of physiological changes that can affect thyroid function test results. Furthermore, the presence of acute or chronic nonthyroidal illnesses and the use of medications that interfere with thyroid function tests are common confounders in the determination of thyroid status in the elderly. Early diagnosis and treatment of overt thyroid dysfunction is crucial in this population in view of the marked effects of abnormal circulating thyroid hormone levels on a number of organ systems, including the heart, the skeleton and the neurological system. The clinical significance of mild thyroid overactivity and underactivity remains uncertain, and the need for treatment of subclinical thyroid dysfunction is much debated. A number of large epidemiological studies have identified associations between mild thyroid dysfunction and short-term as well as long-term adverse outcomes, and a small but increasing number of randomized controlled intervention studies have been reported. Guidelines recommend treatment of thyroid dysfunction on the basis of the degree of abnormal serum TSH concentrations, patient age and associated comorbidities. This Review describes the current evidence on the prevalence, diagnosis, management and long-term consequences of thyroid dysfunction in the elderly.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrendo.2013.30

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  • The prevalence of hypothyroidism increases with age, and subclinical hypothyroidism affects up to 15% of adults aged 65 years or older when non-age-specific TSH reference ranges are used.

    “The prevalence of hypothyroidism increases with age and subclinical hypothyroidism affects up to 15% of adults 65 years of age or older, when non-age-specific TSH reference ranges are used (9, 12–14).”

    From Levothyroxine therapy in elderly patients with hypothyroidism (2021) · cites this paper as [13]

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Authors
Boelaert, K.
Affiliations
University of Birmingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Boelaert, Kristien
ORCID
Boelaert, Kristien
Venue
Nature Reviews Endocrinology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2013-02-26
Volume
9
Issue
4
Pages
194-204
ISSN
  • 1759-5029 (ISSN-L)
  • 1759-5037
DOI
10.1038/nrendo.2013.30
OpenAlex
W1975174441
Cited by
84
References
151
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2
FWCI
1.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Endocrinology (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 › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Keywords
thyroid dysfunction, older adults, subclinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, aging, thyroid function tests, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, comorbidities, low T3 syndrome, long-term outcomes
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Humans, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid Diseases, Thyroid Function Tests

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