A clinico-pathological survey of thyroid glands in old age.

A quarter of the thyroid gland obtained at post-mortem examination from a group of elderly inpatients were nodular. There was a significant preponderance of women with goitre, but no relationship to age. The incidence of hyperthyroidism was increased in patients with nodular glands. There was no correlation between the weight of the thyroid gland, the age of the patient and the free-thyroxine index. Histological examination of macroscopically normal glands showed tiny follicles, microscopic colloid nodules and fibrosis. Nodular glands had the features of long-standing colloid nodular goitre. Focal lymphocytic thyroiditis was observed in a fifth of the glands. Microscopic evidence of altered function was common but could not always be correlated with the results of the thyroid function studies.