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Metabolic and Endocrine Problems in the Elderly pp 37–61Cite as

Thyroid Disease

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Abstract

Thyroid disease is an important and relatively common cause of mental and physical morbidity. Since treatment is usually relatively simple, and often effective in reducing disability, it is important that the condition should not be missed. In old age, unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of thyroid disease are masked so that reliance cannot be placed on clinical judgement alone, and all elderly people showing signs of recent but gradual mental or physical deterioration should be investigated for laboratory evidence of thyroid disease. This is one of the few situations in which there is justification for laboratory screening in the elderly (Hod-kinson and Denham 1977).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Edinburgh, EH10 5SB, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

    W. J. MacLennan MD, FRCP (Glas., Ed., Lond.) (Professor of Geriatric Medicine)

  2. Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary, Major’s Loan, FK1 5QE, Falkirk, Scotland, UK

    N. R. Peden MA, MB, FRCP (Ed.) (Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist)

Authors
  1. W. J. MacLennan MD, FRCP (Glas., Ed., Lond.)
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  2. N. R. Peden MA, MB, FRCP (Ed.)
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© 1989 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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MacLennan, W.J., Peden, N.R. (1989). Thyroid Disease. In: Metabolic and Endocrine Problems in the Elderly. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1672-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-1672-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19541-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-1672-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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