Endocrine Abstracts

Background

Hypothyroidism is a common disorder in elderly. Management of elderly population requires special attention since both undertreatment and overtreatment leads to increased mortality and morbidity. Normal ranges of TSH differs as patients get older and it is recommended as 4-6 mIU/l in patients older than 70–80 years. In this study we aimed to evaluate the TSH concentrations of elderly patients (75 years of age and older) who are under levothyroxine treatment

Method

We retrospectively evaluated elderly patients, aged 75 years and older, who applied to endocrinology clinic for hypothyroidism between March 2018 and November 2020. TSH values of patients who were under levothyroxine treatment were analysed

Results

57 hypothyroid patients who were under levothyroxine treatment were included in the study. 8 patients were male (14%), 49 (86%), were female. The mean age of patients’ was found as 79.0. Only 4 (7%) of 57 patients TSH concentration was between 4-6 (mIU/l) ; 23 (40.4%) patients TSH concentration was below 4 mIU/l and even 9 patients’ TSH concentration (15.8%) was below 0.5 (mIU/l). 21 (36.8%) patients’ TSH concentration was above 6 (mIU/l).

Discussion

Our study showed that few patients stay in the recommended range during their treatment process for hypothyroidism. Elderly patients are more prone to adverse effects related to cardiovascular system with both undertreatment and overtreatment. Furthermore, overtreatment may lead to osteoporosis and fractures. Therefore, careful titration of levothyroxine treatment and monitoring of TSH values are especially important in elderly patients.