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In adults ≥80 years with TSH 6–10 mIU/L and minimal symptoms, do you initiate levothyroxine, monitor, or avoid treatment entirely?

Does frailty change your threshold?
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In adults ≥80 years with TSH 6–10 mIU/L and minimal symptoms, do you initiate levothyroxine, monitor, or avoid treatment entirely?

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2 Answers
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Geriatric Medicine · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Answered on

I tend to check free T4 in this situation. Aging is associated with some elevation in TSH value up to 10 mIU/L with normal free T4, and in those patients, levothyroxine is not needed. In some patients, I have seen it rise above 10 with normal free T4. Supplementing levothyroxine to lower serum TSH w...

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Geriatric Medicine · Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
Answered on · Updated on

As always, we do want to provide an individualized approch. Based on the extent of frailty and severity of symptoms, I do offer watchful waiting as an option during the shared decision conversation. TRUST (Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Untreated Older Adults with Subclinical Hypothyroidism) trial ...

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