[Endocrine diseases and aging].
Age dependent perturbations to endocrine systems are overviewed and the interpretation of the results of endocrinological tests for clinical decision are discussed referring to thyroid diseases as an example. The endocrine functions that are essential to life, such as adrenal and thyroid functions, show minimal change by aging. Their basal levels alter little, although production and degradation of hormones decrease. Some part of elderly persons show lower levels of triiodothyronine, which may, however, reflect deterioration of their physical condition and should not be overlooked as an age dependent change. Some endocrine function, such as gonadal function and calcium metabolism obviously reveal age dependent physiological change and their reference ranges for elderly persons are set separately. Thus, reference levels and clinical decision for endocrinological tests should be dependent on the properties of individual endocrine system.
Tada
H
H
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Suita.
Kashiwai
T
T
Amino
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000502:physiology