Thyroid Awareness Month: 1998
| Baby Blues | Sunset Blues | Moody Blues | Midnight Blues |
| Common Symptoms | The Neck Check | Press Release | Background Information |
Thyroid Disease and Depression in the Elderly
SUNSET BLUES
At age 62, Betty finally admitted that she was getting old. For years she had had an extremely active lifestyle, playing tennis almost every weekend, enjoying long walks in the park with her daughter and grand-daughter, and taking care of John, her husband of 33 years.
But recently, Betty began suffering from fatigue and appetite loss. She couldn't remember simple things like her phone number and actually forgot her anniversary - something that John had always gotten in trouble for, not she. She lost interest in many of the hobbies she once enjoyed, including dancing, playing tennis and taking long walks.
Her friends all said, "Betty, face it. You're just getting old." Betty thought her friends must be right. She knew this day would come, but didn't think it would be so soon. She hated these new feelings of moodiness and fatigue. "Oh well," she thought, "this is old age."
| THE FACTS |
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The incidence of thyroid disease increases dramatically with age and if not treated, can have serious medical implications. To rule out thyroid disease, older Americans are advised to conduct a "Thyroid Neck Check", a simple, self-examination that can be performed with a glass of water and a mirror.
For some older people, the golden years of life are not what they expected, marked by forgetting what day it is, not caring what day it is and feeling "the blues." Most seniors assume these feelings and others such as decreased appetite, fatigue, and insomnia are a natural part of aging. Seniors who report these symptoms to their doctors are often diagnosed with depression or even mild dementia. Most people, however, are unaware that the underlying problem is actually hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism and depression overlap considerably, and the two conditions frequently coexist, particularly in the elderly. Unfortunately, diagnosis of thyroid disease among the elderly can be difficult because the symptoms develop gradually. Also, many older Americans don't openly discuss their symptoms with their doctors for fear of having to address additional health problems.
In addition to depression, the symptoms of thyroid disease in seniors often mimic those of aging. With both hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid ) and hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), patients can encounter confusion, depression, walking disturbances, heart failure, changes in bowel movements and a failure to thrive. Since these symptoms are commonly associated with other illnesses, the possibility of thyroid disease is often overlooked.
The incidence of thyroid disease increases dramatically with age and if not treated, can have serious medical implications. An undetected or undiagnosed thyroid disorder may lead to abnormal cardiac function, elevated cholesterol levels, and osteoporosis. To rule out thyroid disease, older Americans are advised to conduct a Thyroid Neck Check, a simple, self-examination that can be performed with a glass of water and a mirror. This test helps to identify an enlarged thyroid gland which may be an indication of thyroid disease.
An older person who finds an enlarged thyroid gland upon performing the Neck Check should consult his or her physician. Most likely, the physician will conduct a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test to rule out the possibility of thyroid disease. Once a diagnosis is made, thyroid disease is easily treated in older individuals. Treatment for thyroid disease can help seniors beat "the blues."
Betty talked with her doctor during her annual check-up about not feeling like herself. Her doctor conducted a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test and discovered she was suffering from hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland. Betty was thrilled to learn that a lot of these feelings were not a result of her age. After being prescribed a thyroid replacement medication, Betty quickly returned to the tennis courts to continue her winning streak against her husband, John.
Previous Thyroid Awareness Month Campaigns
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2007 How's Your Thyroid - Who needs to know?
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2006 A Thyroid Imbalance? Target Your Numbers
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2005 A Healthy Thyroid: You Make The Difference
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2004 Take Control of Your Health: Keep Your Thyroid in Balance
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2003 Thyroid Undercover Hiding in Plain Sight
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2002 The Necks Generation
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2001 The Necks Time is Now Think Thyroid
- Thyroid Awareness Month 2000 Take Cholesterol by the Neck
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1999 Thyroid: The Missing T in HRT
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1998 When the Blues Hit
- Thyroid Awareness Month 1997 1995 Not available on AACE Online