Thyroid In Old Age Treatment Service

How common are thyroid problems in older people?

If thyroid gland is hyperfunctioning it is called as Hyperthyroidism and if thyroid gland is underfunctioning it is called as state of Hypothyroidism. Thyroid underfunction is about twice as common as overfunction. Thyroid problems are more common in older women than in men. Thyroid gland enlargement can be diffuse or nodular. Occasionally thyroid enlargements are calcified thyroid nodules. Although these calcified nodules may in fact be benign, it is generally advisable to biopsy them to determine their exact cause.

Symptoms of thyroid gland dysfunction

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are similar to those in younger patients. It is not uncommon for both hyperthyroidism  to  manifest in subtle ways in older patients, often masquerading as diseases of the bowel or heart or a disorder of the nervous system like history of  tremors,weight loss, palpitations, osteoporosis, depression and psychiatric manifestations. Unlike symptoms of hyperthyroidism, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very non-specific in all patients, even more so in the older patient. Memory loss or a decrease in cognitive functioning, often attributed to advancing age, may be the only symptoms of hypothyroidism present.  Hypothyroidism usually presents with history of lethargy, change in voice, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation.

Clues to the possibility of hypothyroidism include a positive family history of thyroid disease, past treatment for hyperthyroidism, or a history of extensive surgery and/or radiotherapy to the neck