Pattern of Thyroid Profile in Elderly Persons

• Main Authors: Muhammad Shoaib Khan, Aziz Marjan Khattak, Wasim Anwar, Faisal Saeed Khan, Iqbal Hussain, Arshad Javed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Pakistan 2007-06-01
• Series: Gomal Journal of Medical Sciences
• Online Access: http://gjms.com.pk/ojs24/index.php/gjms/article/view/93

Background: Thyroid hormones, tri-iodothyronine and thyroxin are produced by thyroid gland and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. In old age this regulatory function may be altered. The aim of this study was to observe the pattern of thyroid profile in elderly persons ion our setup. Material and methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Reproductive Physiology/Health, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from March 2005 to March 2006. Data of thyroid profile, triiodothyronine, thyroxin and thyroid stimulating hormone was analyzed in elderly men and compares with normal young men. Results: Serum levels of thyroid profile including tri-iodothyronine, thyroxin and thyroid stimulating hormone were evaluated in 127 elderly men aged 53.23 ±1.00 years with 47 (37%) normal and 80 (63%) abnormal thyroid profile, as compared to 47 young men aged 28.6 ±0.02 years. Increase in the mean levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (p<0.001) and decrease in tri-iodothyronine and thyroxin (p<0.05) was observed innormal elderly persons. Conclusion: Normal elderly persons have different levels of thyroid hormones as compared to young. Normal range of thyroid hormones for elderly persons should be separately established for proper assessment of their thyroid function in our setup.