Hyperthyroidism in adults: variable clinical presentations and approaches to diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Hyperthyroidism is a disease that has various symptoms and can present in many ways. In the elderly patient hyperthyroidism often is not expressed in the classical manner. A case report of a middle-aged man who had hyperthyroidism with only one symptom is detailed.


METHODS
A literature review utilizing MEDLINE files from 1988 to the present, as well as current textbooks of medicine and endocrinology, was used to prepare this report. Keywords for the search were "hyperthyroidism," "symptoms," "unintentional weight loss," and "differential diagnosis."


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical presentation of hyperthyroidism can vary from almost asymptomatic to apathetic in appearance to a marked hyperdynamic physiologic response. Family physicians must be well informed of this variation in disease expression. Overlooking the diagnosis of this relatively easily treated condition can be detrimental to patient care and expensive.
Knudson
P B
PB
University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Bismarck 58502, USA.
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes