Thyroid Screening for Older Adults

There is no clear agreement on whether to screen older adults who have no thyroid symptoms. However, all older adults who have a recent drop in thinking ability or ability to move and do daily activities should be tested for thyroid problems.

Hypothyroidism

If you have symptoms, your health care provider should check your thyroid with a blood test called a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is often found through a TSH blood test. Imaging tests can then show how much of the thyroid is affected.

Hyperthyroidism should be treated as soon as possible to avoid heart problems, bone loss (osteoporosis), or weight loss.

Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer

If you have a nodule or nodules, a health care professional will need to examine them. An ultrasound is often used to:

• Find out how many nodules there are.
• Check their shape and structure.
• Find out whether they might be cancerous.

To find out if a nodule is cancer, a health care professional will insert a very thin needle into the nodule and remove a small sample of cells to test. This is called an "aspiration" or biopsy.

Your health care provider may also do a "thyroid scan." This test involves injecting radioactive iodine into a vein in your arm. Once the iodine reaches your thyroid, pictures of your thyroid and the nodule can be taken.

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026 
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers