title: Misleading elevation of the free thyroxine index in nursing home residents.
abstract: The significance of an elevated free thyroxine index (FTI) as an indicator of hyperthyroidism was studied while screening 651 elderly nursing home residents. Eleven subjects had FTI elevations. Most of these patients were chronically ill and/or malnourished. Clinical assessment, repeated FTI determinations, and subsequent measurements of levels of triiodothyronine, free thyroxine by equilibrium dialysis, and thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone) by sensitive assay showed that all subjects with FTI elevation were euthyroid. The FTI elevation in the chronically ill institutionalized elderly patient is not necessarily an expression of hyperthyroidism.
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin Veterans Home, King.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Drinka
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Nolten
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voeks
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine