thyroid results
he has slightly low levels of TT4; FT4 and FT3. The interpretation says that the thyroid hormones are generally low, but that there is not the elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone that occurs with most cases of primary hyprothyroidism. this is suppossed to decrease the liklihood of it being due to Lymphocytic thyroiditis. gives a few other probablle causes (illness or medication - none) and then says this dog is not hypothyroid HOWEVERhypothroidism remains a possibility as a small percentage of dogs do not have the elevation of thyroid stimulating hormones. Anyone have any experience with these results? Morgan is a walking couuch compared to Marley who literally runs circles around him when they play. he is also "hefty". I suspect hypothyroidism and will call the vet tomorrow about meds but am looking for some backup. |
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| Hypothyroid can occur in dogs and we actually had a golden at our clinic that had it but it is pretty rare. If the levels are only slightly below normal then I woul djust have him rechecked in a little while. Talk to your vet but they may try some other tests before even considering medication. Sometimes some other items could cause lower thyroid. I wouldnt get too concerned at the moment. I agree that it is a little strange that they emailed you the results as opposed to calling with results. |
| I know Holly (bestdogsx4) has at least one dog on thyroid meds She doesn't always have internet access but I'm sure she'll chime in soon. |
| This sounds like our first sheepie, Quincy. His levels were in the normal range, but on the very low end. (I don't remember the exact numbers, but if an 8 was hypothyroid, Quincy was an 11.) Quincy was continuing to gain weight and got up to 125 lbs. (his normal weight was 112 lbs.) while eating 2 - 3 cups of low cal food per day, no treats. Plus, he had skin issues, which is common with hypothyroidism.
Our vet owned a golden in the same situation, and she put her own dog on thyroid meds, so we gave it a try with Quincy. It didn't take long for his weight to return to normal and his skin and hair to improve. The meds got him well into normal range. Let us know how it goes with the vet. Laurie and Oscar |
| I called the vet this morning - no one knows why they never called me - of course. I made an appointment Monday to have bloodwork done to rule out other conditions that may be causing the results (which are definitely low not borderline) without the accompanying high hormone results. One thing I found reading online was that diabetes could cause similar results. That certainly would explain his compulsive water drinking, |
OES4ever wrote: Hypothyroid can occur in dogs and we actually had a golden at our clinic that had it but it is pretty rare.
Yes, it can appear in any dog, but rare? In OES or even Goldens for that matter? No. Wish that was true, but it just ain't so. Check out OFA stats for breed prevalence (and that's just based on dogs whose results were sent to like Michigan State) http://www.offa.org/msustats.html Note that OES are ranked 3rd among purebreds for highest incidence of hypothyroidism. Who knows how many breeders (or owners, for that matter) actually bother to test? Kerry - don't panic, but he could be sliding that way. Like Laurie said, some vets will try a borderline dog on meds and if it helps, figure they are on the right track. Might be something to consider talking to your vet about. And if he is hypothyroid, pat yourself on the back for catching it early. Kristine |
| Kristine
thanks for confirming what I thought about the incidence of hypothyroidism being high in OES. Whatever it is we will deal with it. You know my issues with the breeder so I won't get any satisfaction trying to find out if anything is prevelant in the line, but I want to rule out all other causes before I try the meds. This is the same dog that had a bad reaction to his annual immunizations last year so an autoimmune issue isn't totally out of the question either. |
| Dr. Jean Dodds in southern California has studied this widely especially in OES. You may call and ask for a telephone consultation. You'll find her especially helpful in understanding this condition.
Contact info on this webpage: http://dogsadversereactions.com/vDrDodds.html |
kerry wrote: Kristine
thanks for confirming what I thought about the incidence of hypothyroidism being high in OES. Whatever it is we will deal with it. You know my issues with the breeder so I won't get any satisfaction trying to find out if anything is prevelant in the line, but I want to rule out all other causes before I try the meds. This is the same dog that had a bad reaction to his annual immunizations last year so an autoimmune issue isn't totally out of the question either. If it's an OES, just presume it's there in the line. It's in my line. It's in every line I can think of. Just continue to be a better owner than she is breeder and report whatever to her, just like you did before, so the data is known. That's all you can do. In a breed like ours, hypothyroidism is a better bet than diabetis, though, of course, you're smart to rule it out. I've only known of two cases of diabetis in OES (doesn't mean there aren't lots more for all I know). In one case, the dog was 13. In the other, I think the dog was 7 or 8. In both cases, the dogs were quite ill beforehand (very suddenly and dramatically). In the younger one, they didn't diagnose it until it was much too late and spent something like 6 mos testing liver function and lord knows what else. The dogs weren't related either (well, except once you get back there  ) The 13 year old was related to my guys a few generations back. The other had an American x European pedigree. Neither case seemed significant, genetically speaking.
What is it they say in veterinarian medicine? Look for the horse (the obvious), not the Zebra (exotic). Something like that. If something has to be wrong with him, hope for thyroid issues as it is easy to treat. And the most likely in his case based on his breed. Kristine |
Quote: If it's an OES, just presume it's there in the line.
5 of my 6 dogs are on Soloxine... the dogs are ages 3 years to 10 years... 3 of the 5 are OESs... one was diagnosed around 1 1/2 years of age. The only one who isn't hypothyroid is Kaytee and we've had her tested periodically a total of 3 times (worrywarts that we are  ).
It may seem relatively rare if people miss the symptoms or if people don't purposely screen for this condition. Symptoms can be easy to overlook at first... slowing down, gaining weight, seeking warmth or only a one or two of the other symptoms on the list. Some symptoms people may relate to the natural procession of aging. But if it goes untreated, it can become something serious... http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-ang ... isease.htm Note that a trial of thyroid medications is often a prudent recommendation when a dog is borderline or in "the gray zone". We did this with 2 of ours. Both my vet and Dr. Dodds had suggested a trial course of Soloxine for 4-6 weeks. It's also mentioned in the last paragraph of "Genetic Screening for Thyroid Disease" at this address- http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-ang ... %20Disease This is one of those conditions that is fortunately correctable with a simple little pill.  |
| Dixie is on Eltroxine for thyroid...She is just under the lowest-end....
She has always been bouncing off walls, so we give her less than she needs, as we didn't need her to spring around any more than the Tigger she is already....Lethargic, and slow she is not...  |
| Hannah takes Soloxine for a thyroid issue. It wasn't diagnozed until she was 3-5 years old? Can't really remember the correct age. Her personality did change around that time too. She's always been a large sheepie girl. And they've periodically adjusted her thyroid med after thyroid blood panels. She did lose weight after getting the medicine. And recently when they readjusted it she lost even more weight.
It's important to continually watch the levels if you suspect something. Good luck. |
| Luke and Rosco have been on thyroid meds for several years at different dosages, they do well with it. The only problem is with Luke's coat, it just doesn't grow at all. He will be 11 in June and doing pretty well for an old boy so the coat issue isn't a problem for me.
Another sign is coat loss, generally in patches along the sides. Once the proper med dose is determined the coat can come back in and it will be black. Rosco ( age 9.5) still has some black spots here and there, again not an issue for me. Since we got Gabe and Jonah his energy level has been much better, even Luke tries to chase the little guys around the yard....always way behind but still trying 
Holly |
| Just got back from the vet - where they were all apologetic about not calling me. He tested Morgan's sugar levels and kidney function, all was well so they put him on thyroid meds. we have to go back in two months to check his blood. he is on thyrixune .8 mg twice a day.
Now if hr gets as energetic as Marley maybe my husband will stop saying he wants a newfie (I think 4 dogs may be one (or two) too many) |
| I had Bella tested for thyroid recently. It was around $200.00 and the vet sent it off to the University of Michigan. Apparantly this is the most conclusive test that can be run. Luckily for us, she is fine. She just needs diet food and more exercise. She was spayed in October, and that may be the reason for the weight gain. Thyroid is easily managed though. |
| interesting the breakdown of our bills for this - . $77 to the university of Michigan, no office visit charge, heartworm $70, lyme vacine $22 (i think the bill is at home and I forget exactly how much the vaccine was).
Monday we went for the meds, no office vist, no charge for blood work to check for sugar and kidney function, $11 for meds, $51 for advantage. I love my vet. My sister gets a $200 bill everytime she walks in the door just for walking in. SHe has decided it might be cheaper to start flying up to my vet for the annuals
Glad Bella was fine. |
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