The thyroid gland, located below the “Adam's apple” in the neck, is responsible for the production of thyroxine. This hormone regulates body metabolism and affects several aspects of body function, including heat and cold regulation, and the digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and neuromuscular systems.
Disorders of the thyroid gland commonly occur in the elderly, and affect about 10% of people age 65 and over. They are more common in women, affecting 15% of women aged over 70. These disorders encompass thyroid gland underfunction (hypothyroid), overfunction (hyperthyroid), as well as benign and malignant nodules of the thyroid. Untreated, these diseases can greatly decrease a person's quality of life and potentially be fatal.
Hypothyroidism is the most common disorder of the thyroid gland. In nearly all cases, it is due to a problem within the gland where not enough hormone is produced. This can also result from some medications, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, radioactive...
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Krikorian, A. (2008). Thyroid Disease. In: Loue, S.J., Sajatovic, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_426
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_426
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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