- Section 1 Ageing population and policy
- Section 2 Key concepts in care of older adults
- Section 3 Principles and organization of care
- Section 4 Age-related biological changes, altered physiology, and vulnerability to diseases and chronic conditions
- Section 5 Geriatric syndromes in clinical practice
- Section 6 Nutrition and metabolism
- Section 7 Mobility disorders: prevention, impact, and compensation
- Section 8 Infections in older adults: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 9 Cancer: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 10 Vascular diseases: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 11 Neurological disorders: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 12 Cognitive decline and dementia in older adults: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 13 Mental health of older adults
- Section 14 Management of common medical conditions: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Chapter 140 Common geriatric emergencies
- Chapter 141 Management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
- Chapter 142 Oral health and mouth diseases
- Chapter 143 Gastrointestinal disease in the older population
- Chapter 144 Malabsorption
- Chapter 145 Constipation and faecal incontinence
- Chapter 146 Age-associated breathlessness
- Chapter 147 Anaemia
- Chapter 148 Endocrinology of ageing
- Chapter 149 Sexuality in older persons
- Chapter 150 Skin diseases more common in older adults
- Chapter 151 Common age-related eye diseases and visual impairment
- Chapter 152 Hearing impairments and their treatments
- Chapter 153 Dizziness and vertigo
- Section 15 Palliative medicine and end-of-life care
- Section 16 Healthy ageing
(p. 1139) Endocrinology of ageing
- Chapter:
- (p. 1139) Endocrinology of ageing
- Author(s):
Alexis McKee
and John E. Morley
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780198701590.003.0148
Attempts to stave off ageing through a search for the fountain of eternal youth date back to biblical stories where the Garden of Eden was said to contain the river of immortality. Ageing is a multifaceted process with physiological, psychological, and societal impact. Life expectancy continues to increase globally. Thus it is relevant for physicians to discern between physiological and pathological hormonal changes associated with ageing. Diagnosing endocrine disorders in older people is challenging because the symptoms of endocrine disease often imitate normal physiological changes with ageing and because of the effect of polypharmacy on hormone levels. This chapter will serve as a guide for the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders in this population.
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- Section 1 Ageing population and policy
- Section 2 Key concepts in care of older adults
- Section 3 Principles and organization of care
- Section 4 Age-related biological changes, altered physiology, and vulnerability to diseases and chronic conditions
- Section 5 Geriatric syndromes in clinical practice
- Section 6 Nutrition and metabolism
- Section 7 Mobility disorders: prevention, impact, and compensation
- Section 8 Infections in older adults: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 9 Cancer: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 10 Vascular diseases: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 11 Neurological disorders: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 12 Cognitive decline and dementia in older adults: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Section 13 Mental health of older adults
- Section 14 Management of common medical conditions: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
- Chapter 140 Common geriatric emergencies
- Chapter 141 Management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease
- Chapter 142 Oral health and mouth diseases
- Chapter 143 Gastrointestinal disease in the older population
- Chapter 144 Malabsorption
- Chapter 145 Constipation and faecal incontinence
- Chapter 146 Age-associated breathlessness
- Chapter 147 Anaemia
- Chapter 148 Endocrinology of ageing
- Chapter 149 Sexuality in older persons
- Chapter 150 Skin diseases more common in older adults
- Chapter 151 Common age-related eye diseases and visual impairment
- Chapter 152 Hearing impairments and their treatments
- Chapter 153 Dizziness and vertigo
- Section 15 Palliative medicine and end-of-life care
- Section 16 Healthy ageing