angieh
17-12-2007, 03:51 PM
Two useful links about this disease in cats that seems to be on the increase:-
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cat-hyper.htm
http://www.yorkcats.org.uk/thyroid.htm
This link has more detailed scientific information:-
http://www.gcvs.com/imaging/feline_hyperthyroidism.htm
The piece of information from the article above that worried me most was
"While most cats with hyperthyroidism are diagnosed based on clinical signs and increased T3 or T4 values, up to 42% of cats that are proven to be hyperthyroid will have T3 and/or T4 values that are in the normal range. It has been shown that circulating levels of thyroid hormone can fluctuate up to 24% during any 24 hour period and up to 28% over a 2 week period. Thus if a cat is mildly hyperthyroid, a single T4 assay may fall within the normal range at any time. Also, the circulating thyroid levels may be falsely decreased secondary to many other concurrent disease processes (the "euthyroid sick syndrome"). Therefore, the diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism should not be excluded based on a single normal serum T3 or T4 value. diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism should not be excluded based on a single normal serum T3 or T4 value."
I understand that there is a better way of diagnosing hyperthyroidism but it involves "in patient" treatment with radioactive iodine.
I expect that some Catsey members will have come across this problem before and I would welcome any comments you have.
:)
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/cat-hyper.htm
http://www.yorkcats.org.uk/thyroid.htm
This link has more detailed scientific information:-
http://www.gcvs.com/imaging/feline_hyperthyroidism.htm
The piece of information from the article above that worried me most was
"While most cats with hyperthyroidism are diagnosed based on clinical signs and increased T3 or T4 values, up to 42% of cats that are proven to be hyperthyroid will have T3 and/or T4 values that are in the normal range. It has been shown that circulating levels of thyroid hormone can fluctuate up to 24% during any 24 hour period and up to 28% over a 2 week period. Thus if a cat is mildly hyperthyroid, a single T4 assay may fall within the normal range at any time. Also, the circulating thyroid levels may be falsely decreased secondary to many other concurrent disease processes (the "euthyroid sick syndrome"). Therefore, the diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism should not be excluded based on a single normal serum T3 or T4 value. diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism should not be excluded based on a single normal serum T3 or T4 value."
I understand that there is a better way of diagnosing hyperthyroidism but it involves "in patient" treatment with radioactive iodine.
I expect that some Catsey members will have come across this problem before and I would welcome any comments you have.
:)