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Subclinical hypothyroidism in elderly patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 1998

AJJ Abdulla
Affiliation:
Cannock Chase Hospital, Cannock, Staffordshire, UK
Y Chan
Affiliation:
Cannock Chase Hospital, Cannock, Staffordshire, UK

Abstract

Symptoms of thyroid disease in older people are often subtle, and in most cases the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made on the biochemical findings of high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) combined with a low thyroxine (T4) level. However, with the routine use of sensitive assays, a significant number of patients have been identified with elevated TSH but normal T4 level and few or no symptoms. These patients have subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH).

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 1998

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