Zusammenfassung
Gesunde ältere Menschen weisen Änderungen im Schilddrüsenhormonmetabolismus auf, die möglicherweise sogar aktiv zur Langlebigkeit beitragen können. Dies gilt es, auch bei der Behandlung von – prinzipiell ebenso wie bei Jüngeren auftretenden – Schilddrüsenerkrankungen zu berücksichtigen. Besonderheiten ergeben sich auch durch Komorbiditäten, insbesondere im kardiovaskulären Bereich, sodass etwa hyperthyreote Stoffwechsellagen schlechter toleriert werden als bei Herzgesunden. Benigne Knotenstrumen nehmen im Alter an Häufigkeit zu und sollen bei mechanischer Indikation operiert werden. Das Therapiekonzept bei malignen Erkrankungen muss in die Gesamtsituation des Patienten eingebettet werden, unterscheidet sich allerdings prinzipiell nicht von dem jüngerer Patienten. Von einer adäquaten, risikoadaptierten Therapie von Schilddrüsenerkrankungen profitieren auch betagte und hochbetagte Menschen, sodass eine entsprechende Diagnostik und Abklärung in jedem Lebensalter sinnvoll sind.
Summary
In healthy older people the metabolism of thyroid hormones is physiologically altered and can possibly even actively contribute to longevity. This should also be taken into consideration in the treatment of diseases of the thyroid and principally also for younger patients. For example, with progressing age comorbidities become more prevalent and especially in cardiovascular diseases, hyperthyroidism is less well tolerated, and should be treated more aggressively. Benign multinodular goiter also becomes more prevalent in old age and should be surgically treated when causing mechanical symptoms. The treatment concept for malignant diseases should be adapted to the holistic situation of the patient but principally in the same manner as in younger patients. Old and very old patients also benefit from adequate, risk-adapted treatment of thyroid gland diseases so that appropriate diagnostics and clarification are meaningful, regardless of age.
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Tugendsam, C., Kurtaran, A. Die Schilddrüse im Alter. Wien Med Wochenschr 170, 410–419 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-020-00761-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-020-00761-2