Older Subjects with Hyperthyroidism Present with a Paucity of Symptoms and Signs: A Large Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Classical symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism are significantly less prevalent in older patients and more prevalent in smokers and subjects with higher free T(4) concentrations. We propose a lower threshold for performing thyroid function tests in patients older than 60 yr, especially in those presenting with atrial fibrillation, weight loss, or shortness of breath.