Thyroid

[Guest dancewkathylee]

Another question while I'm here. My boy grey has been on thyroid medication for about 1&3/4 years. His level was very low ( like 0.1) and he is on the anxious side. He did fine on it and is not so inclined to hide in the bath tub as he used to be, but, part of that may be the addition of our girl that we got in October. Anyway, we recently switched vets and this one doesn't believe greys should be treated for hypothyroidism unless the are lethargic, fat, aggressive etc. So she weaned him from the meds. So far, he seems fine and he's been off them for about a month. today when looking on the web to try to find answers about my girlie, I came across a website that was very pro treating the greyhounds for thyroid especially if they are anxious thunder phobic etc. Any strong feelings on the subject?

Thanks!

[OwnedBySummer]

Here's the hypothyroid extract from Greyhound Medical Idiosyncrasies:

 

"Greyhounds normally have thyroid levels lower than other breeds. The most overdiagnosed disease in Greyhounds today is hypothyroidism. Greyhounds have a normal thyroid level that is lower than the reference ranges used for other breeds. You should not start your Greyhound on supplementation for hypothyroidism unless your Greyhound is showing clinical signs of the disease, for example hair loss, lethargy, or weight gain (despite exercise and appropriate feeding) and a full thyroid panel has been run (T4, fT4 by equilibrium dialysis, TSH, etc.; I recommend using the lab at Michigan State for all thyroid testing). Many veterinarians will falsely interpret the lack of hair on Greyhound thighs as a clinical sign of hypothyroidism. This hair loss is not commonly caused by hypothyroidism (although hair may grow with supplementation). If your veterinarian recommends thyroid supplementation, be sure that they have read or are aware of the journal articles listed at the end of this packet and that the appropriate clinical signs of hypothyroidism are truly present. There are some truly hypothyroid Greyhounds out there… just not very many!"

 

I would only treat for hypothroidism if my dog did indeed suffer from that. I wouldn't use the thyroid drugs to treat other conditions.

Edited March 4, 2011 by OwnedBySummer

[greyhead]

Any strong feelings on the subject here? Anyone?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist, as one who has very strong feelings in favor of treating, and more generous standards for determining that than some others have. There are plenty on this board who feel otherwise. If you use "hypothyroid*" as a search time in H&M, you will find *plenty*.

 

For your pup, I'd tend to favor observing his behavior and retesting his hormone levels after 8 weeks or so off the medicine. I'll just point out, as I have before, that there are a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism that are not the classic ones, and they are very hard to endure. One that comes readily to mind is joint and muscle pain, which your hound may or may not tell you about. Oh, and if one of mine were spending more time in the bathtub out of anxiety, I'd put him back on the medicine and fire the vet if need be.

 

Best wishes as you make your way. And welcome to Greytalk!

 

ETA: http://forum.greytal...hypothyroidism/ This is the link to the thread I started when I just couldn't stand it anymore, so that I wouldn't have to say the same things over and over each time this comes up.

Oh, and I should add that despite the that you'll see, we're all still friends. Mostly...

Edited March 4, 2011 by greyhead

[Guest dancewkathylee]

Any strong feelings on the subject here? Anyone?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist, as one who has very strong feelings in favor of treating, and more generous standards for determining that than some others have. There are plenty on this board who feel otherwise. If you use "hypothyroid*" as a search time in H&M, you will find *plenty*.

 

For your pup, I'd tend to favor observing his behavior and retesting his hormone levels after 8 weeks or so off the medicine. I'll just point out, as I have before, that there are a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism that are not the classic ones, and they are very hard to endure. One that comes readily to mind is joint and muscle pain, which your hound may or may not tell you about. Oh, and if one of mine were spending more time in the bathtub out of anxiety, I'd put him back on the medicine and fire the vet if need be.

 

Best wishes as you make your way. And welcome to Greytalk!

 

ETA: http://forum.greytal...hypothyroidism/ This is the link to the thread I started when I just couldn't stand it anymore, so that I wouldn't have to say the same things over and over each time this comes up.

Oh, and I should add that despite the that you'll see, we're all still friends. Mostly...

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. See how he does and if he gets too anxious, get him back on the meds. I know how people feel when they have too little and for that matter too much thyroid hormone and it's not always pretty! Thanks

[tbhounds]

I'm staying outta this one!! Playing the devils advocate is just too draining!!

Edited March 5, 2011 by tbhounds

[Guest dancewkathylee]

I'm staying outta this one!! Playing the devils advocate is just too draining!!

 

I've noticed it does seem to be one of those touchy subjects.

[OwnedBySummer]

I'm staying outta this one!! Playing the devils advocate is just too draining!!

 

I've noticed it does seem to be one of those touchy subjects.

 

I haven't been exposed to the thyroid dialogues yet. Wasn't aware it was controversial, thought it was diagnosable. Good thing I only posted information, nothing else! Exit... stage left!

[Batmom]

Here's the hypothyroid extract from Greyhound Medical Idiosyncrasies:

 

"Greyhounds normally have thyroid levels lower than other breeds. The most overdiagnosed disease in Greyhounds today is hypothyroidism. Greyhounds have a normal thyroid level that is lower than the reference ranges used for other breeds. You should not start your Greyhound on supplementation for hypothyroidism unless your Greyhound is showing clinical signs of the disease, for example hair loss, lethargy, or weight gain (despite exercise and appropriate feeding) and a full thyroid panel has been run (T4, fT4 by equilibrium dialysis, TSH, etc.; I recommend using the lab at Michigan State for all thyroid testing). Many veterinarians will falsely interpret the lack of hair on Greyhound thighs as a clinical sign of hypothyroidism. This hair loss is not commonly caused by hypothyroidism (although hair may grow with supplementation). If your veterinarian recommends thyroid supplementation, be sure that they have read or are aware of the journal articles listed at the end of this packet and that the appropriate clinical signs of hypothyroidism are truly present. There are some truly hypothyroid Greyhounds out there… just not very many!"

 

I would only treat for hypothroidism if my dog did indeed suffer from that. I wouldn't use the thyroid drugs to treat other conditions.

 

Exactly.