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Related Experiment Videos

Thyroid hormone concentrations, disease, physical function, and mortality in elderly men.

Annewieke W van den Beld1, Theo J Visser, Richard A Feelders

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Room Bd230, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.vandenbeld@erasmusmc.nl

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
|September 22, 2005
PubMed
Summary

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Higher thyroid hormone levels, specifically free thyroxine (FT4) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), are linked to poorer physical function in elderly men. Conversely, low FT4 is associated with better survival rates, suggesting an adaptive mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Endocrinology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Thyroid hormone levels can change with age and may impact physical function in older adults.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for maintaining health and independence in the elderly population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone concentrations and physical function in elderly men.
  • To examine the association between thyroid hormone levels and mortality in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal population study (Zoetermeer study) followed 403 independently living men aged 73-94 for 4 years.
  • Serum levels of TSH, free T4 (FT4), total T4, T3, rT3, and T4-binding globulin were measured.
  • Physical function was assessed using activities of daily living, physical performance score (PPS), strength, bone density, and body composition.

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Main Results:

  • Higher serum FT4 and rT3 concentrations correlated with lower grip strength and PPS, independent of age and disease.
  • Sixty-three men exhibited low T3 syndrome, associated with lower PPS.
  • Low FT4 levels were linked to a reduced risk of 4-year mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated FT4 and rT3 are associated with diminished physical function in elderly men.
  • High rT3 may indicate a catabolic state due to aging or disease.
  • Low FT4 might be an adaptive survival mechanism, potentially preventing excessive catabolism.