Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Endokrinoloji ve Metabolizma Hastalıkları BD.
Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Geriatri BD., Ankara
Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Sitoloji ABD., Ankara
Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Biyoistatik ABD., Ankara The spectrum and prevalence of thyroid disorders are known to be influenced by iodine intake. Aim of the current study was to investigate the spectrum and prevalence of thyroid disorders in an elderly population living in a moderate iodine deficient region, using modern technologies. 906 elderly (610 women, 296 men) who had no known chronic diseases with a mean age of 71(65-98) has been examined. 80% of the subjects was either born in Ankara or spent >40 years of their life span in Ankara. Past medical history was taken, thyroid ultrasonography was performed, and sera were collected for thyroid function tests and autoantibodies. Nodules larger than 15 mm was biopsied unless sTSH levels are suppressed. Thyroid scans were performed to the elderly who had suppressed sTSH values and thyroid nodule(s). 10% of the subjects were found to have history of thyroid diseases. 26,8% and 13,6% of the subjects was folK1d to have goiters and nodules by palpation respectively- Ultrasonographic data revealed goiters and nodules in 28,2% and 37,4% of them respectively. 124 biopsies revealed benign cytology in 89,5%, inadequate in 9,7% and follicular neoplasm in 0,8%. We have found overt hypothyroidism in fourteen (1,55%), subclinical hypothyroidism in 24 (2,65%), overt thyrotoxicosis or an episode of overt thyrotoxicosis in history in 34 (3,75%), subclinical hyperthyroidism in 56 (6,18%), T3 thyrotoxicosis in 7 (0,8%) and history of papillary thyroid carcinoma in 1 (0,1%) subjects- Toxic adenomas were the leading cause of thyrotoxicosis in the thyrotoxic group (73%). As a result, functional disturbances are found in 15% of 906 elderly living in Ankara, which is a moderate iodine deficient region. Routine determination of thyroid function tests is justified in such populations. If a thyroid nodule detected, after sTSH measurment, thyroid scan should be performed to elderly persons with low TSH. Keywords : Elderly, iodine deficiency, thyroid functions, epidemiology, goiter