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Thyroid hormones and frailty in persons experiencing extreme longevity
Beatrice Arosio1, Daniela Monti2, Daniela Mari3
1Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Experimental Gerontology
|June 12, 2020
Summary
Thyroid hormone levels are linked to frailty in centenarians, highlighting the thyroid's role in aging and longevity. Lower FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratios, along with higher TSH, correlate with increased frailty in extreme longevity.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Endocrinology
- Physiological basis of aging and longevity
Background:
- Aging is characterized by heterogeneous phenotypes and reduced homeostatic reserve, involving endocrine system remodeling.
- Frailty, particularly the Frailty Index (FI), quantifies physiological decline and biological aging by measuring accumulated health deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between thyroid hormone levels and the Frailty Index (FI) in centenarians and their offspring.
- To understand the role of thyroid hormone remodeling in individuals exhibiting extreme longevity.
Main Methods:
- Study included 593 Italian participants: 180 centenarians, 276 centenarian offspring, and 137 age-matched controls.
- Analysis correlated thyroid hormones (FT3, FT4, TSH) and FT3/FT4 ratio with the Frailty Index (FI).
- Sub-analyses were performed on overall subjects and a subgroup with hormone levels within normal ranges.
Main Results:
- Centenarians showed significantly lower FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratios, and higher TSH levels compared to controls.
- In centenarians, the Frailty Index (FI) negatively correlated with FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio, and positively with FT4.
- No significant correlations between thyroid hormones and FI were found in offspring or controls.
Conclusions:
- An association exists between thyroid hormone levels and frailty in centenarians.
- These findings underscore the significant role of the thyroid in the aging process and the maintenance of longevity.
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