Hypothyroidism is more common among elderly people, especially women, and affects 1.5 to two per cent of people over the age of 60. However, the condition does also occur in younger patients. Decreased metabolism can affect every organ of the body including brain, heart, skin, intestine and muscles.
Symptoms tend to appear gradually over a long period of time.
For this reason, decreased metabolism in the elderly is often mistaken for changes which take place naturally with age. Thus, it is advisable to have the thyroid gland checked once a year. Avoid taking natural medicine and dietary supplements which contain large amounts of iodine. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain and also plays an important part in regulating metabolism. This increase in TSH shows that the thyroid gland is underactive and needs to be stimulated.