Hyperthyroidism in the geriatric population

Although the thyroid gland can become overactive at any age, the syndrome of hyperthyroidism changes considerably in elderly persons. The principal reason is comorbidity. The patient over age 65 is much more likely than a young adult of 20 or 25 to have one or more preexisting disorders when the thyroid becomes overactive. In the elderly, therefore, the classic picture of hyperthyroidism--the constellation of irritability, sweating, palpitations without heart disease, weight loss despite good appetite, goiter, and warm, fine skin, familiar to all physicians--may never develop. Well before it might have appeared, a milder degree of thyroid hyperfunction may become manifest because of worsening of an underlying disease. Accordingly, the recognition of the thyroid disorder is often delayed. The purpose of this article is not so much to review hyperthyroidism as to delineate the special features found in geriatric patients and to describe a simple but effective scheme of evaluation.     

老年甲状腺功能亢进症的手术治疗

目的 总结老年甲状腺功能亢进症行甲状腺次全切除术治疗体会。方法 对78例老年甲状腺功能亢进症治疗经验进行分析、总结。结果 78例病人手术经过顺利，除1例死于并发症外，其余全部治愈。病人平均住院时间13．2d。结论 甲状腺次全切除术是治疗老年甲状腺功能亢进症患者有效而安全的方法，术前联合口服心得安及碘液可缩短住院时间，只要做好术前准备，术中操作规范，术后严密管理，是可以尽量减少其并发症的。     

Hyperthyroidism and bulimia: Case report

A case of hyperthyroidism occurring during bulimia is presented. This is the first reported case of such an occurrence. The significance of hyperthyroidism in bulimia is discussed.