Thyroid screening in elderly hospital patients

A screening programme of thyroid disease in 214 elderly patients attending hospital was undertaken incorporating clinical and biochemical assessment. The prevalence of untreated hypothyroidism was 2.8%, treated hypothyroidism 2.8%, untreated hyperthyroidism 0.9%, sub-clinical hypothyroidism 4.7%, and non-thyroidal illness 3.3%. One patient with hypopituitarism was identified. Clinical judgement alone was poor. The costs of such a screening programme are discussed and the benefits highlighted.