Thyroid Disease in Aging

Thyroid disease is common in older adults. Increasing numbers of older persons will present to physicians for care in the United States as the U.S. and world populations age. It is expected that by the year 2030 that 19-20% of the U.S. population will be over 65-years old and by 2040 that 25% of the U.S. population will be over 65-years old. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with thyroid disease in this population because of its impact on the patient's functional and cognitive state. Thyroid disease often presents in older adults with nonspecific presentations such as falls, weakness, or cognitive impairment. Thyroid abnormalities may also be detected with routine testing.