Understanding Thyroid Disease in Seniors

Senior Health and Wellbeing  |  November 18, 2024

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Thyroid Disease

Thyroid Disease in Seniors can affect their quality of life. The golden years can be an exciting time but, it is also a time that bodies age and change. As this happens we become more susceptible to certain health conditions along the way.

What is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the body’s ability to maintain a regular metabolic rate.  Many seniors are diagnosed with the disease. This article can provide useful insight into the causes, symptoms, and importance of early detection of thyroid disease.

The Two Types of Thyroid Disease:

Hypothyroidism – The body makes too little thyroid hormone, slowing down the metabolism.

Hyperthyroidism – The body makes too much thyroid hormone, resulting in an accelerated metabolic rate.

Out of the two, hypothyroidism is more common in seniors, though harder to diagnose. This is because the frequency of symptoms decreases with age. As a result, older adults will only have one or two symptoms out of many correlated to hypothyroidism.

The frequency and severity of symptoms depend on how low thyroid hormone levels are. The symptoms can include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry and pale skin, hoarseness, increased cholesterol, unexpected weight gain, stiffness and muscle aches, swelling of joints, and depression.

Thyroid Disease in Seniors – Risk Factors for Developing Hypothyroidism:

• Being a female over 50
• Having a history of autoimmune disease in the family
• Receiving radiation treatment in the upper neck/chest area
• Previously undergoing thyroid gland surgery
• Iodine deficiency

Just like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism can present itself in many ways, making it hard to diagnose as some symptoms can misleadingly be associated with other health conditions. Again, the age factor can contribute to only one or two symptoms showing in the golden years. To make matters worse, some medications can create side effects similar to the symptoms or even conceal the signs of this disease.

With this in mind, common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include sudden weight loss, fast or irregular heartbeat, increased appetite, anxiety, subtle tremors in hands or the tip of the fingers, increased sweating, changes in the menstrual cycle, sensitivity to heat, changes in bowel patterns, enlargement of the thyroid gland obvious to the touch, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.

Thyroid Disease in Seniors – Risk Factors for Developing Hyperthyroidism:

• Having a history of hyperthyroidism in the family
• Being diagnosed with Graves or Plummer’s disease
• Developing nodules on the thyroid gland, known as toxic adenoma
• Experiencing swelling or pain in the thyroid gland

Though, as we mentioned, this disease can be quite challenging to diagnose in older adults when recognized in time and treated properly, thyroid disease can be successfully managed.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. We provide home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit. Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Our caregivers will be there to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. 

Trained caregivers provide our clients with personal home care to maintain the highest quality of life. Happy and healthy at home, our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers care that addresses safety, nutrition, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver that keeps seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

We offer seniors and families peace of mind with our personal, companionship, palliative, and end-of-life care services. Learn more about our unique services by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts. Comfort Keepers has met or exceeded the stringent quality standards for Home Care companies.

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