Description
In this episode of Aging Forward, Mayo Clinic geriatrician Christina Chen, M.D., talks with endocrinologist Juan P. Brito Campana, M.B.B.S., about how thyroid function changes with age and how to recognize the signs of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. They discuss common thyroid symptoms, thyroid blood tests, thyroid nodules and when a thyroid condition needs treatment.
You'll also learn about TSH, T4 and T3 testing; when thyroid nodules may need a biopsy; treatment with levothyroxine and other thyroid medications; and the risks of overtreating thyroid disease, particularly in older adults. Plus, Dr. Brito explains why "thyroid boosting" supplements aren't recommended, how biotin can interfere with thyroid blood tests and how artificial intelligence may help improve thyroid care in the future.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How thyroid function changes as you age
• Symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• How thyroid disease can look different in older adults
• When to get your thyroid checked
• What TSH, T4 and T3 test results mean
• What to know about thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer
• When thyroid disease needs treatment
• Risks of too much thyroid medication
• Why thyroid supplements may do more harm than good
• How biotin can interfere with thyroid test results
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00:00 Introduction
01:40 What does the thyroid do?
02:44 How thyroid function changes with age
04:25 Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules
05:36 What causes thyroid disease?
06:21 Iodine deficiency and thyroid health
08:07 Symptoms of thyroid disease vs. normal aging
10:57 How thyroid disease looks different in older adults
13:42 Thyroid blood tests: TSH and T4
15:08 Do you need T3 or reverse T3 testing?
16:20 What to know about thyroid nodules
18:43 Thyroid nodules and cancer risk
20:37 How AI could improve thyroid care
21:48 When does thyroid disease need treatment?
24:44 Levothyroxine, T3 and Armour Thyroid
26:52 Risks of overtreating thyroid disease
28:17 Fatigue and thyroid disease
31:33 Should you take thyroid supplements?
32:42 Biotin and thyroid blood tests
34:02 How to support thyroid health
35:38 The future of thyroid treatment
37:15 What aging forward means
38:55 Outro