Thyroid Health
Often missed. Easy to test + treat.
Hypothyroid (slow) symptoms
- Fatigue / low energy.
- Weight gain.
- Cold intolerance.
- Dry skin + brittle hair.
- Constipation.
- Depression.
- Slow thinking + memory issues.
- Common in 60+ women especially.
Hyperthyroid (fast) symptoms
- Anxiety + restlessness.
- Weight loss despite eating.
- Heat intolerance.
- Heart palpitations / racing.
- Tremors.
- Bowel changes (looser).
- Bulging eyes (Graves disease).
- Less common but serious.
Get tested
- Simple blood test — TSH.
- Add: Free T4, Free T3 if needed.
- Medicare covers fully.
- Annual check after 60.
- If symptoms — sooner.
- Reading: TSH normal 0.4-4.0.
- Senior optimal often higher (1-3).
Treatments
- Hypo — levothyroxine (Synthroid). Daily pill.
- Take same time, empty stomach.
- Re-check 6-8 weeks after start.
- Adjust dose as needed.
- Hyper — methimazole, beta-blockers, radioactive iodine.
- Sometimes surgery.
- Both highly treatable.
Levothyroxine tips
- Take 30-60 min before food.
- Brand-name vs generic — stick with one.
- Avoid taking with coffee, calcium, iron.
- Re-test 6-8 weeks after dose change.
- Lifelong typically.
- Cheap generic ($4-15/mo).
Why often missed in seniors
Symptoms attributed to "just aging" — fatigue, slowness, weight gain. Annual TSH catches it. If feeling exhausted + slow — ASK for thyroid test. Can dramatically improve quality of life.