Atypical clinical features of hypo- and hyperthyroidism in elderly age.

The clinical features of senile hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism differ from the general characteristics of these conditions. This may be explained primarily by the changed response of peripheral tissues to thyroid hormones. Because of the atypical clinical symptoms the recognition of these conditions meets difficulties and, in general, occurs late. Therapy raises further special questions considering primarily cardiac complications and other accompanying diseases (for instance arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus.). The authors analyse data of 171 hypothyroid and 219 hyperthyroid patients as a function of age, primary disease, and the most often occurring impulse generation, impulse conduction disorders.