The results of a study to investigate possible underdiagnosis of hyperthyroidism in the elderly are reported. Four out of 24 patients with atrial fibrillation for which there was no obvious cause and who had normal thyroid hormone measurements were found to have subnormal thyrotropin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone and abnormal thyroid scans. The implications of this finding are discussed.
ForfarJ.C., FeekC.M., MillerH.C., ToftA.D.. Atrial fibrillation and isolated suppression of the pituitary thyroid axis: response to specific antithyroid therapy.Int J Cardiol1981; 1: 43–8
5.
MardellR., GamlenT.R.. Indications for thyroid function screening.Lancet1983; i: 363
6.
Anonymous.Thyroid function tests - progress and problems.Lancet1983; i: 164–5
7.
StaffurthJ.S., GibberdM.C., Ng Tang FuiS.. Arterial embolism in thyrotoxicosis with atrial fibrillation.Br Med J1977; ii: 688–90
8.
EmeryP., StaffurthJ.S.. Electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation after treatment for thyrotoxocosis.Postgrad Med J1982; 58: 746–8
9.
RubensteinH.A., ButlerV.P., WernerS.C.. Progressive decrease in serum tri-iodothyronine concentrations with human ageing: radioimmunassay following extraction of serum.J Clin Endocrinol Metab1973; 37: 247–53
10.
DaviesA.B., WilliamsI., JohnR., HallR., ScanlonM.F.. Diagnostic value of thyrotropin releasing hormone tests in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.Br Med J1985; 291: 773–6
11.
CaldwellG., KellettH.A., GowS.M.A new strategy for thyroid function testing.Lancet1985; i: 1117–9