RileysLegacy Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) I know this has been covered a lot, but please can you guys refresh my mind about thyroid testing. My vet has not seen many greyhounds so we rely a lot on the info I get here. So what exactly should be tested and how do I know if he truly needs to be medicated?I know hypothyroidism is over diagnosed in greyhounds but I am seeing many symptoms that seem to match up to thyroid. Legs is just the sweetest, bestest boy and it's breaking my heart that he is not completely healthy like he should be at only 7 years old! Thanks in advance UPDATELegs test results came back low, but not much different than 2 years ago. I feel that b/c he's showing so many symptoms it is worth trying medicating. Does anyone know how long it should take to know if it's helping him?Continued updates in this thread Edited February 15, 2013 by RileysLegacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Along with a T4 a FT4 and more importantly a cTSH must be run. What labs do you have there- Idexx, Antech? Ideally, a complete full panel would be nice to run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Can they send it to MSU by any chance and have an Endocrinologist interpret the results?? They do a ton of sighthounds thyroid panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I had these tests done locally: TT4, TT3, fT4ed, FT3, T4AA, T3AA, TSH, TgAA. Here's a link to MSU for their premium canine thyroid panel. Check the box at the top for the endocrinologist's interpretation. MSU thyroid form. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I had these tests done locally: TT4, TT3, fT4ed, FT3, T4AA, T3AA, TSH, TgAA. Here's a link to MSU for their premium canine thyroid panel. Check the box at the top for the endocrinologist's interpretation. MSU thyroid form. Remember--Legs is in Hawaii Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I'm gonna sound stupid, I'm sure... what does Hawaii have to do with vet tests? If there's no lab, Legs' blood could still be sent to MSU? I know I can send blood from Canada down to the US. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 (edited) I imagine it would be quite expensive to send it from Hawaii to Michigan. It's good to have a full panel done. My problem with MSU's interpretations is that they have defined hypothyroidism out of existence for greyhounds, IMO. Even if the greyhound has so little hormone that they can't even measure it, they won't recommend supplementation unless the TSH is elevated AND there are antibodies present. As I've said elsewhere, TSH measures are not always accurate indicators, and not all hypothyroidism is autoimmune in origin (so of course there will not be antibodies). And I consider that kind of interpretational rigidity dangerous to the health of our dogs. But in all cases you have to start with a panel. You can send the results to MSU and Dr. Dodds, or whomever, for interpretation later if it seems warranted. Edited September 14, 2012 by greyhead Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Ft4 by ED, TSH and antibody testing would give you a complete picture. Hindsight is always 20-20 - wish I known enough to insist on the antibody testing when we were trying to figure out what was wrong with Suze last year. Would have definitely answered the question of "hypothyroid or euthyroid sick syndrome" once we received the diagnosis of PLN. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 Legs came to me on thyroid meds, but his old owners only had the very basic (T4?) test done, so we re-tested and I believe sent to MSU. But his being on meds skewed the test so I opted to stop medicating. This was over 2 years ago so I'm a little fuzzy on the details. I know Dr. Dodds recommended putting Riley on thyroid meds when he was dxed with LP but showed no other symptoms of a thyroid problem, so I am weary of sending anything to her. I will print this thread out before I take Legs in next week. Thanks so much everyone for your help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Even if the greyhound has so little hormone that they can't even measure it, That is simply the nature of the science. The amount of free T4 in a greyhound -- or any other organism -- is so small that even the best assays we have (equilibrium dialysis) may not find enough to measure according to the established +/- accuracy of the test. And that is entirely normal. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Even if the greyhound has so little hormone that they can't even measure it, That is simply the nature of the science. The amount of free T4 in a greyhound -- or any other organism -- is so small that even the best assays we have (equilibrium dialysis) may not find enough to measure according to the established +/- accuracy of the test. And that is entirely normal. My endocrinologist would disagree with you. If my free T4 were undetectable, he'd be upping my meds. As it is, he ups them when it's low. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 You're not a sighthound. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 You said "any other organism." Did you mean to exclude humans? Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted September 18, 2012 Author Share Posted September 18, 2012 Took Legs to the vet this morning. She is sending his blood to MSU. Should take a couple of weeks before we get the results. She also did cold laser therapy on his skin lesions and put him on abx. If he thyroid comes back ok next step is a heart monitor test since he's been basically collapsing after any kind of exercise. I'm sooo hoping it's thyroid Thanks again everyone! I'll update when I know anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Poor Legs. I too hope it's his thyroid. You'll be happy sending it to MSU. Did she request the Endocrinologist interpretation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 Poor Legs. I too hope it's his thyroid. You'll be happy sending it to MSU. Did she request the Endocrinologist interpretation? I believe so. She also told me we have a new specialist on the island she is going to consult with, so that is good. That way the specialist can examine him in person if needed. The cold laser seems to really have helped his sores! Now I just need to keep him from licking and re-opening them which will be a huge challenge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 I sympathize with the challenge of the sores. Having tried everything, the best combination I have found for my Suze is a muzzle with a stool cup to keep her from licking them and treating by washing gently every day and putting a few drops of calendula on them. Suze has other health issues which I am sure is interfering with the healing process, so hopefully Legs will heal quickly. But you're right - licking is a challenge! Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 thanks Linda. I've thought of ordering him a muzzle, but I just hate to do that to my sweet boy unless absolutely necessary If we get the results back & there is no thyroid issue it may come to that. He's continued to lick and re-opened all his sores But thankfully the antibiotics seem to be agreeing with him (he has a sensitive tummy), so hopefully they will kick in soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 update first post... any experiences to share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Right away, in our experience. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Lucy, did the Endo do an interpretation? If they are that low I would definitely start on meds. There are some great experts here on GT that will guide you. Do you have the results with the actual numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 What was the cTSH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 I asked my vet office to email me the full results, but did not get it yet. For now, he's on 1200 mcg levothyroxine a day. Does this sound right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 I asked my vet office to email me the full results, but did not get it yet. For now, he's on 1200 mcg levothyroxine a day. Does this sound right? So your giving 600mcg (0.6mgs) twice daily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Pretty quickly.............................what was the TSH result and were there any antibodies? Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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