If you have been feeling tired, cold, foggy, or just a little off lately, it is easy to blame age. But sometimes the real cause is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck. Thyroid disorders are common in older adults, and they are easy to miss because their symptoms overlap with what many people assume is normal aging. At Pinnacle Health in Sun City, Arizona, Dr. Annie Khurana, MD sees this often. Here is what every Sun City senior and family caregiver should know.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
Your thyroid produces hormones that act like the thermostat and gas pedal for your body. They help control metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, energy, and even mood. When the thyroid makes too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism), nearly every system in the body can be affected.
Why Thyroid Problems Are Often Missed After 65
In younger adults, thyroid problems often cause obvious symptoms. In seniors, the signs can be subtle or look like other conditions. Fatigue, constipation, memory trouble, low mood, and weight changes are often blamed on getting older, stress, or other medications. Hypothyroidism becomes more common with age, especially in women. Hyperthyroidism can also look different in older adults: instead of feeling jittery, a senior may simply feel weak, lose weight, or notice a fast or irregular heartbeat. That is why routine testing matters.
Common Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
- Persistent tiredness or low energy
- Feeling cold when others are comfortable
- Constipation
- Dry skin and thinning hair
- Unexplained weight gain
- Slowed thinking, forgetfulness, or low mood
- Muscle aches, joint stiffness, or a hoarse voice
Common Symptoms of an Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
- Unexplained weight loss despite a normal appetite
- Racing, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Shakiness, anxiety, or trouble sleeping
- Feeling overheated or sweating more than usual
- Muscle weakness and tiredness
- Frequent bowel movements
Why Treating Thyroid Disease Matters
An untreated thyroid problem can do more than make you feel unwell. Underactive thyroid can contribute to high cholesterol, heart problems, depression, and memory difficulties that may be mistaken for dementia. An overactive thyroid can lead to atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm), weakened bones and osteoporosis, and a higher risk of falls. The good news is that thyroid disease is very treatable once it is identified.
How Thyroid Disorders Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis usually starts with a simple blood test. The key test is TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), often paired with free T4 and sometimes thyroid antibodies. If your doctor feels a lump or enlargement in your neck, an ultrasound may be recommended. Dr. Khurana also reviews your full medication and supplement list, because some prescriptions (such as amiodarone or lithium) can affect the thyroid, and high-dose biotin supplements can interfere with lab results.
Treatment Options
For hypothyroidism, the standard treatment is a daily thyroid hormone replacement, usually levothyroxine. In seniors, we typically start with a lower dose and increase slowly, especially for patients with heart disease. Your TSH is rechecked about 6 to 8 weeks after any dose change, then at least once a year once you are stable.
For hyperthyroidism, treatment depends on the cause and your overall health. Options include anti-thyroid medications, medicines to control a racing heart, radioactive iodine, and occasionally surgery.
Some older adults have a mildly elevated TSH with normal thyroid hormone levels, known as subclinical hypothyroidism. Whether to treat it is an individualized decision, and in some cases careful monitoring with repeat labs is the best approach.
Tips for Living Well With a Thyroid Condition
- Take levothyroxine at the same time every day, on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast
- Keep calcium, iron, and multivitamins at least four hours apart from your thyroid medication
- Bring a complete list of medications and supplements to every visit
- Do not skip your follow-up blood tests, even when you feel better
- If you have hyperthyroidism, stay extra hydrated in the Arizona heat, since heat intolerance and dehydration can add up quickly
When to See a Doctor
Schedule an appointment if you notice ongoing fatigue, unexplained weight changes, a new feeling of being too hot or too cold, changes in memory or mood, a swelling or lump in your neck, or a heartbeat that feels fast or irregular. Seek emergency care right away if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden confusion.
Thyroid Care in Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale
Dr. Annie Khurana, MD is board-certified in Family Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Care, and she takes time to listen and look at the whole picture. Pinnacle Health offers thyroid testing, medication management, and ongoing follow-up for seniors across Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Surprise, and Glendale, with same-day visits often available.
Think your thyroid could be the reason you have not felt like yourself? Call Pinnacle Health at (623) 295-2952 or schedule your appointment online today. We are located at 10503 W Thunderbird Blvd, Suite 262, Sun City, AZ 85351.
Ready to talk with Dr. Khurana?
Pinnacle Health is welcoming new patients in Sun City and across the Northwest Valley. We'll listen, review your history, and build a plan that fits your life.