Age Related Change in Thyroid Function.
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Date
2012-12
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Abstract
Background: Thyroid hormones play a vital role in metabolism, sensitivity of tissues to other hormones
and also in oxygen consumption of almost all cells of the body. However, mild to moderate decrease in
function of thyroid gland may occur with advancing age even in apparently healthy elderly subjects.
Objectives: To observe age related change in thyroid function status in apparently healthy elderly
subjects in Bangladesh. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of
Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011.
Sixty apparently healthy elderly subjects of both sexes aged 50 to 75 years were taken as study group.
They were collected from Probin Nibash Hitoishi Shangha, Agargaon, Dhaka. In addition, 30 apparently
healthy young adult subjects aged 20-40 years were included as control. For assessment of thyroid
function, serum free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone
(TSH) levels were estimated by ELISA method. Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA,
Bonferroni test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient test as applicable. Results: In this study, mean
serum free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels were significantly (p<0.001) lower
and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level was significantly (p<0.001) higher in apparently
healthy elderly subjects in comparison to those of the healthy young subjects. Again, serum FT4 and
FT3 levels were negatively correlated whereas serum TSH level was positively correlated with age of
the subjects. Conclusion: The present study revealed a progressive decrease in thyroid function
with advancement of age.
Description
Keywords
Elderly, Thyroid, Free Thyroxine (FT4), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3)
Citation
Rahman Shakila, Jahan Nasim, Sultana Nayma. Age Related Change in Thyroid Function. Journal of Bangladesh Society of Physiologists. 2012 Dec; 7(2): 72-77.