The prevalence and progression of autoimmune thyroid disease in the elderly.

摘要: Thyroid antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked assay system (ELISA) on a random sample of 414 asymptomatic elderly people aged 70 years or more in South Wales town 1977. The prevalence elevated titres microsomal was 15.4% and thyroglobulin 13.3%; 8.5% had elevation both antibodies. Five later thyroid function evaluated 51 (66.6%) those with raised antibody 1977 compared control group 46 old drawn from the original population. Significant fluctuations observed two thirds positive group. Three developed during this period. Only 1 person became hypothyroid. prognostic significance without TSH levels is less than middle younger people. fluctuating as sensitive method remains to be determined.