title: Hypopituitarism in the elderly in the presence of elevated thyroid stimulating hormone levels.
abstract: Two cases of primary hypothyroidism with hypopituitarism in elderly patients are reported. The elevated levels of thyroid stimulating hormone led to delay in the recognition of accompanying pituitary failure. Elderly patients should not be commenced on thyroxine replacement therapy until the possibility of hypopituitarism and cortisol deficiency has been excluded.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Medical Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beringer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McClements
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013972:Thyrotropin; D006854:Hydrocortisone