Thyroid Hormone Supplementation and All-Cause Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although elevated thyrotropin (TSH) is common in older adults, controversy exists over what degree of elevation should be treated with thyroid hormone supplements. Isolated, elevated TSH in this population can be consistent with aging-related adaptations rather than indicative of primary thyroid disease, raising the possibility that thyroid hormone replacement may be harmful.

Objectives

Determine the association between all-cause mortality and levothyroxine use among older adults.

Design

Longitudinal observational study.

Setting

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Participants

One thousand two hundred and fifty eight community dwelling adult participants aged 65+ with an average of 9 years of follow up.

Measurements

Thyroid and pitui

SUBMITTER: Abbey EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8265277 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature