title: [Graves' disease in the elderly].
abstract: Characterization of elderly (> or = 65) patients with Graves' disease (GD) was discussed. Emaciation was the symptom that was most frequently found in elderly patients. The presence of goiter, exophthalmos and increased appetite decreased with age, while weight loss, anorexia and arrhythmia increased. Elderly patients often have serious complications such as congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Serum levels of free T3, free T4 and TSH receptor antibodies were significantly lower in elderly patients. In addition to fewer clinical signs and symptoms of GD in elderly patients, prominent cardiac or gastrointestinal findings may make the diagnosis more difficult. Elderly GD patients should be treated with antithyroid drugs. Radioiodine therapy may be considered after normalization of serum thyroid hormone levels.
authors.affiliation: Iitaka Clinic.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iitaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013963:Thyroid Hormones