Hypothyroidism in dogs

[Dobified]

Rudy is hypothyroid:


Hypothyroidism in Dogs



Hypothyroidism is the most common hormone imbalance of dogs. It seems like it would be a straight forward problem: the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, problems result, a test shows thyroid hormone level is low, the hormone replaced given in pill form, problem solved. Unfortunately, it is not quite so straight-forward in real life. This article attempts to review the issues relevant to this condition and the pitfalls that keep it from being a simple problem.





WHAT IS THE THYROID GLAND AND WHAT DOES IT DO?




The thyroid gland is an H-shape in one's throat. It produces two forms of thyroid hormone: T3 is the active form of the hormone, and T4 is the inactive form created to circulate in the bloodstream. When T4 is absorbed out the bloodstream and into tissue cells, it is converted into T3. Most of the circulating T4 is carried by blood proteins and is not available for tissue absorption; the portion that is not carried by proteins (the so-called "free T4") is the portion that is able to enter tissues for activation.




Production of T4 is regulated by the pituitary gland at the base of one's brain. (This gland is called the master gland as it regulates hormone production in the adrenal system, the thyroid system, the reproductive system and more). The pituitary produces a substance called TSH, which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. When T4 levels are dropping, the pituitary gland stimulates the thyroid gland to make and release more T4.




Active thyroid hormone serves as a sort of a volume dial for metabolism. Since virtually every cell in the body can be affected by reduced levels of thyroid hormone it is not surprising that reduced levels of thyroid hormone lead to symptoms in multiple body systems.




WHAT IS HYPOTHYROIDISM?




In short, hypothyroidism is the natural deficiency of thyroid hormone. This deficiency is produced by immune-mediated destruction of the thyroid gland, by natural atrophy of the gland, by dietary iodine deficiency, or as a congenital problem. In the dog, the first two causes listed account for almost all cases.




Hypothyroidim generally develops in middle aged or elderly dogs. Breeds with definite predisposition to develop hypothyroidism include: the Doberman pinscher, the Golden retriever, the Irish Setter, the Great Dane, the Dachshund, and the Boxer.




MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM




Hypothyroidism is a classical disease with a classical collection of clinical signs. One particularly well published survey of 162 confirmed hypothyroid dogs showed the following common findings:

• 88% had some kind of skin abnormality
• 40% had hair loss (often this starts on the tail leading to a "rat tail" appearance or a bald area around the collar is created)
• 22% had skin infection (often dogs are scaly and smelly due to an excessively oily coat)
• 14% had brittle or dry coats (often the outer hairs break off leaving a short, softer under coat, classically described as a "puppy-like coat")
• 49% were obese
• 48% were described as lethargic or listless at home
• 36% were anemic (had a reduced number of red blood cells due to slowed red blood cell production in the bone marrow.)
  

One classical finding in hypothyroid dogs is a thickening of some tissues, especially of the face and head. The skin in particular thickens leading to more skin folds and what is classically referred to as a tragic face. This thickening is called myxedema and can occur in some other tissues as well (such as facial nerves - see later).




Cardiovascular Signs - Hypothyroidism interferes with the electrical fibers that more or less provide the wiring for the heart. The rhythmic contractions of heart muscle as normally stimulated by these electrochemical fibers. Abnormal rhythms or slow heart rate occur in as many as 26% of hypothyroid dogs; still, the significance of this in terms of overall lifestyle is not clear. Many specialists feel thyroid supplementation should be started at a lower dose for patients with obvious heart disease.




Neurologic Signs - According to surveys of confirmed hypothyroid dogs, only about 2% to 4% have nerve problems. There are several syndromes reported.

• Polyneuropathy - In hypothyroidism, nerves simply do not conduct electrical impulses normally. This may account for some of the general weakness and listlessness seen in hypothyroidism. Response to thyroid hormone therapy is rapid (improvement within the first week of treatment).
• Focal Neuropathy - Single nerves can get entrapped as they exit the skull or spinal cord as they (like other tissues) swell with myxedema. Pressure on these nerves can lead to paralysis of the facial muscles and/or head tilt, bizarre eye motions and balance disruption (vestibular disease).
• Central Nervous System - may represent abnormal electrical conduction within nerves; however, vascular disease has been found in hypothyroid dogs with central nervous system signs. Clinical signs have involved ataxia (drunken gait), hemiparesis (weakness in front and back legs on the same side of the body), hypermetria (inappropriate measurement of steps), head tilt, circling and cranial nerve abnormalities. It may take several months of therapy to see a response. Coma from myxedema in the brain's tissues is a rare possibility but has been known to occur.

• Ocular Signs - Ocular changes are not common in hypothyroidism but the high levels of blood cholesterol and circulating fat can sometimes lead to eye changes. When these changes are seen, often thyroid testing is recommended. Corneal dystrophy, an abnormal change in the clear covering of the eye, is such an eye sign. This finding is usually represented as a small white spot (sometimes a white circle) on the eye surface. At this degree it is only a cosmetic problem and does not interfere with vision. In more severe forms, painful bubbles can erupt on the corneal surface leading to ulceration. Obviously, this form would require treatment.

Conditions not proven (but previously suspected) to be associated with hypothyroidism: megaesophagus, laryngeal paralysis, infertility, and behavioral aggression.

TESTING FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM




One would think testing for hypothyroidism would be simple: a blood test of the T3 or T4 level could be checked and if it is low, the patient is hypothyroid. Unfortunately, the situation is rarely so simple.




Measurement of T4: The T4 level (also called the total T4 level) is measured commonly and is included in most routine blood panels. It would seem that a low T4 would indicate hypothyroidism and a normal T4 would indicate normal thyroid function. Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. Dogs on certain drugs (most notably phenobarbital, prednisoneor other corticosteroids, or trimethoprim sulfaor with illnesses other than thyroid disease often have depressed T4 secretion. These dogs will have low T4's but are not hypothyroid. This means a normal T4 indicates normal thyroid function but a low T4 may or may not indicate hypothyroidism.




Measurement of T3: If T3 is the active hormone, why can't we just test blood levels of T3? Due to assorted compensatory mechanisms, T3 levels often fluctuate into the normal range in even truly hypothyroid dogs. This means that T3 values are virtually useless in diagnosing hypothyroidism.




Free T4 - T4 is the precursor hormone that is not active but is converted by body tissues into T3, which is active. T4 exists in two forms: the form that is carried around bonded to a blood protein (this is called bound T4) and T4 floating around loose in the bloodstream (called free T4). Only free T4 can enter cells and be converted to T3 and the concentration of free T4 corresponds to thyroid hormone activity where it counts (i.e., at the tissue level). Free T4 levels are less subject to fluctuate into a falsely low range in response to non-thyroidal diseases or drugs than is a total T4 level.




Because free T4 levels are typically 1000 times smaller than total T4 levels and tests for free T4 have to work in such a way so as not to convert bound T4 into free T4 and thus interfere with results. It is somewhat difficult to test for free T4 and the only acceptable way to do this is by a method called Equilibrium dialysis. At this time most labs offer equilibrium dialysis free T4 but it is important to realize that a free T4 level on a lab report is not an equilibrium dialysis free T4 unless it specifically says so. (Equilibrium dialysis free T4 is sometimes notated fT4(ED)).




TSH Stimulation and Endogenous TSH levels - Before there was readily available equilibrium dialysis free T4, the test that was felt to be the gold standard of reliability was called the TSH stimulation test. In this test, a T4 was measured and then compared with a value drawn 8 hours after administration of an injection of thyroid stimulating hormone. Inability to respond to TSH was considered indicative of hypothyroidism. The problem was expense, the need for 8 hours of hospitalization, and the fact that injectable TSH was frequently off the market. This test is rarely performed nowadays.




But TSH can be directly measured in a patient's bloodstream. The idea is that the pituitary gland should be secreting high levels of TSH in a futile attempt to stimulate a diseased thyroid gland. Measurement of TSH level is apparently a very important means of diagnosing hypothyroidism in humans and a canine version of the test was long sought. Unfortunately, when it finally became available, it was found that many dogs with true hypothyroidism did not have elevated TSH levels as one would expect; still, this test is often helpful in making the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.




Testing with a Trial of Medication - Sometimes the only way to test for hypothyroidism is to simply administer the medication for several months and see what happens. Often an improvement in attitude and energy level is seen within the first week. Hair re-growth takes substantially longer (typically 4 months minimum) as the follicles must "reawaken" and then grow a hair long enough to create a visible coat change.




TREATMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM




At least treatment of hypothyroidism is relatively straight-forward. Hypothyroidism is treated with oral administration of thyroid hormone (T4). Even hypothyroid dogs are perfectly capable of converting T4 to T3. Pills are given usually twice daily to start but may be dropped to once a day after good thyroid control has been achieved.




There are many brands of thyroid supplementation available and prices are somewhat variable depending on the manufacturer.




TREATMENT IS FOR THE LIFE OF THE DOG




Occasionally we are asked if it is reasonable to use dried or powdered thyroid glands of hogs or cattle as a more natural form of treatment. The answer is simply no. These products are not produced with adequate quality control to insure that they contain a reliable amount of thyroid hormone. Each dose may be completely different when such a product is used.




Re-testing later on?
Whenever an animal goes on a medication long term, periodic blood testing is a good idea. In the case of hypothyroidism treatment, it is important to know if the medication dose is too low or too high. Thyroxine (T4) is a very safe medication but if it is not given in adequate doses, obviously the patient will not be adequately treated. If the dose is too high and given for too long a time, excessive water consumption, weight loss, and restlessness can result.




Monitoring with T4
The lowest thyroid level of the day is found by taking the blood sample right before a tablet would normally be given. The highest level of the day is found by taking the blood sample 4-6 hours after it is given. Expect one or both such tests to be periodically recommended. Our hospital recommends some type of blood test monitoring annually.




Monitoring with TSH level
The canine thyroid stimulating hormone level (abbreviated cTSH) does not seem to require any particular timing issues and can be run on a blood sample taken any time of the day. The cTSH level will not indicate whether or not the thyroid dose is too high but is quite accurate at determining if the level is too low. (Inadequate treatment is associated with high TSH levels indicating that the pituitary gland is vainly trying to stimulate the thyroid gland with high levels of stimulating hormone.) This test may be run instead of or in addition to a T4 level when it comes time to monitor thyroid hormone treatment.




IS THE DIAGNOSIS CORRECT?




Because of difficulties in diagnostic testing methods (especially before 1995), many dogs have been erroneously diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been on medication for years. If there is any question about a patient and one wishes to re-test now that newer testing methodologies are available, thyroid hormone supplementation must be discontinued at least 2 months for blood testing to be valid. If possible, medications known to interfere with testing should be discontinued for testing (though this is obviously not always possible).

[Dobified]

This is one of the things I need to watch with Rudy. Because he is hypothyroid and I feed RAW. :


Broccoli, a member of the cabbage family and a close relative of cauliflower, broccoli packs more nutrients than any other vegetable. Broccoli contains large amounts of vitamin C and beta carotene which are important antioxidants. Broccoli is a hardy vegetable of the cabbage family that is high in vitamins A and D. If you know or suspect your dog has a thyroid condition, we recommend that you do not use broccoli as a green vegetable, in its raw form.

The cruciferous family of veggies can inhibit the thyroid when fed raw, so they should be fed in moderation or cooked. These are otherwise some of the healthiest veggies you can find, so you don't want to eliminate them. They include arugula, bok choy, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, rutabaga, turnips, turnip greens and watercress.

[Riding Hulio]

I am glad it is treatable, but I did not know about broccoli and the thyroid.

[Dobified]

Originally Posted by Riding Hulio

I am glad it is treatable, but I did not know about broccoli and the thyroid.

Broccoli is fine raw for dogs that are not hypothyroid but should be cooked for dogs that are hypothryroid. This also goes for all the members of the cruciferous family of veggies.

[Dignity]

It's funny how these things that affect humans also affect our animals. I have a friend who has a golden retriever that is hypo. My doctor monitors me because they think I might be, my numbers are borderline, but I'm also pretty young (you're thyroid should produce around 5 times more hormone that is needed - so it may not always show in tests).

Hypo - too little hormone
Hyper - too much hormone

There are a few other diseases too - hashimotos and graves

[Dobified]

Originally Posted by Dignity

There are a few other diseases too - hashimotos and graves

Do those affect dogs as well ?

The meds you give for Hypo thyroidism in dogs are the same as the one humans take. BUT the amounts are way different. Dog take WAY more them humans. The amounts that a dog needs would kill a human. Strange eh ?

[dogadvicer]

Really good information for all the pet owners. All the best.
----------------------------------------------------------
visit: www.edogadvice.com