Hypothyroidism, which is a loss of thyroid function, can affect anyone, but it becomes more common as you age. The signs of an underactive thyroid are often easy to miss, as they mimic commonly accepted signs of aging. Here's what you should know about hypothyroidism, why seniors are more likely to have it, and how to manage it to enjoy good health.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid—a gland in your neck that regulates metabolism, energy, temperature, and organ function—doesn't produce enough of the hormones that power your body's energy. This results in a slower metabolism and other physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms. It's the opposite of hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid overproduces hormones.
What Causes Hypothyroidism?
When the thyroid isn’t making hormones like it's supposed to, there are a few possible causes. The most common is Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Other causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Certain heart and cholesterol medications
- Thyroiditis (swelling in the thyroid during illness or pregnancy)
- Being born with a thyroid that doesn’t function properly
- Some chemotherapy treatments
- Not getting enough iodine
Who Is Most Likely to Develop Hypothyroidism?
In general, women are more prone to hypothyroidism than men, as are seniors (age 65+). However, there are other factors that could lead to an underactive thyroid, such as:
- Menopause
- Family history of thyroid disease
- Chronic health conditions, such as celiac disease or diabetes
- Receiving hypothyroidism treatment or thyroid surgery
- Radiation exposure to the upper chest or neck
Hypothyroidism Signs and Symptoms
Weight gain, fatigue, weakness, and feelings of depression are the major symptoms that appear with hypothyroidism, as your body loses the ability to produce enough energy for your everyday activity levels. Symptoms can develop slowly, sometimes taking years to be noticed. They can also often be mistaken for other conditions, which is why doctors use blood tests to identify and diagnose thyroid disease.
Often, symptoms of hypothyroidism can be hard to detect in seniors since they’re similar to what may be seen as the normal result of aging. These signs include:
- Fatigue or extreme tiredness
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in your hands
- Unexpected weight gain
- High blood cholesterol levels
- Hoarse voice
- Feeling colder than usual
- Constipation
- Dry skin and hair
- Puffy face
- Depression and anxiety
- Brain fog, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating
- Heavy or irregular periods
No single symptom is a definite sign that you have an underactive thyroid. But if you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about testing your thyroid function.
Why Hypothyroidism Is More Common in Seniors
As people age, it's normal to have changes in metabolism (i.e., how the body produces energy), such as a slower metabolic rate, reduced muscle mass, and decreased calorie needs. Since the thyroid regulates metabolism and energy, it can be hard to know if this change is a naturally slowing metabolism or a thyroid condition until you get tested.
The American Thyroid Association notes that seniors are more likely to experience a decline in thyroid function, have higher levels of thyroid antibodies, and be less able to convert inactive thyroid hormone to active thyroid hormone. As you age, your body may gradually produce less thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), leading to a slow appearance of the common symptoms.
Older adults are also more likely to be susceptible to autoimmune conditions, which are one of the major causes of hypothyroidism. Additionally, menopause, which typically occurs between 40 and 60 years old, can trigger or exacerbate thyroid dysfunction.
Hypothyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Because the signs of hypothyroidism overlap with many other conditions, blood tests are the most reliable way for your doctor to make a clear assessment. Once diagnosed, you may be prescribed medication that mimics your thyroid hormones, reviving your body's energy conversion so you can continue to stay active.
Diagnosis
The first step is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Bring a list of any symptoms you've noticed, when they started, and how much they interfere with your everyday life.
At the appointment, the doctor may feel your neck to check for swelling in your thyroid gland and ask about any other medical conditions you are experiencing.
Typically, the next step is to order blood work to help rule out other causes of your symptoms or confirm an underactive thyroid. The thyroid blood test measures the amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) you have and the levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). A high TSH level with a low T4 level typically indicates hypothyroidism.
To refine their assessment, your doctor may request additional blood tests to find out if you have thyroid antibodies or other indicators of autoimmune diseases. They may also send you to have images taken of your thyroid gland with an ultrasound, CT scan, or thyroid uptake scan.
It is impossible to get a diagnosis with symptoms alone because they can be too subtle to notice or attributed to other conditions. For seniors, in particular, many signs of thyroid disease can seem like normal aging. Tests and imaging are essential to identify hypothyroidism and its severity.
Treatment
Hypothyroidism is most commonly treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). A prescription thyroid medication called levothyroxine can help replace the levels of the thyroxine (T4) hormone that the thyroid gland should produce. Another synthetic hormone called liothyronine may also be prescribed to replace triiodothyronine (T3), or you may also hear about liotrix, a synthetic combination to replace T4 and T3.
You'll need to work with your healthcare provider to figure out the right dosage for you. You'll likely have your TSH levels tested six to eight weeks after starting the medication to see if an adjustment is needed. Regular testing after that is usually done every six months or yearly to check effectiveness.
Lifestyle Changes
Medication doesn't cure hypothyroidism. But after a couple of weeks of treatment, you should notice an improvement in symptoms. If you stop or forget to take your medication, the symptoms will likely return.
Adjusting your nutrition and activity levels can also help you manage hypothyroidism. Having good eating habits and doing regular cardiovascular exercise may improve symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, high cholesterol, and even anxiety and depression.
Although hypothyroidism is a lifelong diagnosis, treatments to regulate hormones and alleviate symptoms have a high rate of success. Regularly taking your medication and having your thyroid levels checked can lead to feeling healthier and more energized.
BrightStar Care Provides Support for Senior Health Conditions
Early diagnosis and proper attention and care are key to keeping hypothyroidism under control. If you suspect a thyroid issue for yourself or a loved one, talk to your healthcare provider. In-home care can be helpful for maintaining consistent treatments and routines.
BrightStar Care nurses and caregivers are experienced in helping people adjust to the lifestyle changes a new diagnosis can bring. They can assist with setting up care plans, prepping nutritious meals, encouraging exercise routines, providing medication reminders, and more.
If you’re looking for nurse-led in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.