A survey of the rural elderly has been carried out to determine basic haematological and biochemical data, and to establish a pattern of living for this 'well' population. The blood parameters related to diet, such as haemoglobin, folate, cholesterol, vitamin C etc., show considerable changes with increasing age in the male but little significant change in the female. The vitamin C status for both sexes compares favourably with that reported by other workers studying the urban elderly. The biochemical and haematological data derived provide a normal range with which the 'sick' elderly can be compared. The subjects were generally active and independent in spite of (or because of) a somewhat Spartan existence.
SUMMARYThe thyroxine: thyroxine-binding globulin (T,,: TBG) ratio is now an established part of the biochemical investigation of thyroid function. Reference ranges have been reported for euthyroid subjects with TBG levels within the range 6--16 mg/l. Routine assay ofTBG on all thyroid function tests in this laboratory has suggested that, in patients with low or high TBG levels, the established reference ranges for T,: TBG may not be strictly applicable.A retrospective study has been made of a large number of thyroid function requests, including serum total T" free T" TBG, and TSH assays. Evidence is presented to show that in subjects with a TBG level of less than 8 mg/l the reference range for T,: TBG is elevated. Similarly, in subjects with a TBG greater than 16 mg/l, the reference range for T,: TBG is lowered. The data suggest that it is necessary to quote aT,: TBG reference range based on small increments of TBG levels or to relate total T, reference ranges to those increments.
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