Thyroid disease in a psychogeriatric population

Over a six-year period, routine biochemical screening for thyroid disease was carried out on 662 patients aged 65 years and older, admitted to the psychogeriatric unit of a major psychiatric hospital. Hypothyroid values were found in 1.2% of the population (8 patients). Hyperthyroid values occurred in 0.76% (5 patients). The thyroid abnormality was considered a significant factor in the psychiatric presentation of only two patients and in both the thyroid disease was clinically apparent. Practical benefits obtained were so disappointing that they did not justify the practice of routine screening in this type of patient.