[Geriatric change of thyroid function and thyroid diseases (author's transl)].

The geriatric changes of thyroid function in healthy individuals are relatively low; therefore it is not necessary to take it into consideration for routine diagnostic work. Thyroid diseases show an increase with age and also a change of the clinical picture. Therefore, and because of being superimposed by symptoms of simulatneous second disease, it is necessary to start with the specific diagnostic earlier than in younger patients.