Relationship between FT4 and TSH in the spontaneously hypothyroid group according to age. For all patients together, the Spearman correlation coefficient = −0.795, P value <0.0001. The inset shows the slopes within the four age groups: dots and dashes, under 35 yr; dashes, 35–49 yr; dots, 50–64 yr; solid line, over 64 yr.