Observations on biochemical and haematological parameters in healthy people above 80 years of age

Ninety-five apparently healthy people, aged 80 years or above, living in the Stockholm County Council of Sweden, participated in a pilot study in 1984. Reference values were obtained for routine haematological and biochemical analyses. Deviations from expected levels were confined to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin B12 and calcium. It is noteworthy that a low-risk cholesterol level characterized this elderly population. It is suggested that in order to evaluate the influence of age, a dynamic aspect should be added using functional tests of various organs.