Thyroid-stimulating hormone and total thyroxine concentrations in euthyroid, sick euthyroid and hypothyroid dogs

Ramsey, I.K. , Evans, H. and Herrtage, M.E. (1997) Thyroid-stimulating hormone and total thyroxine concentrations in euthyroid, sick euthyroid and hypothyroid dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 38(12), pp. 540-545. (doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1997.tb03313.x) (PMID:9444634)

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Abstract

Canine thyroid‐stimulating hormone (cTSH) was measured in a variety of clinical cases (n= 72). The cases were classified as euthyroid, sick euthyroid, hypothyroid or hypothyroid on non‐thyroidal therapy on the basis of their history, clinical signs, laboratory results (including total thyroxine concentrations and, where indicated, thyroid‐releasing hormone [TRH] stimulation tests) and response to appropriate therapy. Additional samples were taken during some of the TRH stimulation tests to measure the response of cTSH concentrations following TRH administration. A reference range (0 to 0–41 ng/ml) was calculated from the basal concentrations of cTSH in a group of 41 euthyroid dogs. Six of nine cases of confirmed hypothyroidism had basal cTSH concentrations above the reference range, whereas the remainder were within the normal range. One of these three remaining cases was a pituitary dwarf and did not show a rise in cTSH concentration following TRH stimulation. In contrast, only one of a group of six hypothyroid dogs that had been on non‐thyroidal treatment within the previous four weeks had increased concentrations of basal cTSH. This study also found that five of a group of 16 dogs with sick euthyroid syndrome had increased cTSH concentrations. It was concluded that cTSH measurements are a useful additional diagnostic test in cases of suspected hypothyroidism in dogs but that dynamic testing is still required to confirm the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramsey, Professor Ian
Authors: Ramsey, I.K., Evans, H., and Herrtage, M.E.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Journal of Small Animal Practice
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0022-4510
ISSN (Online):1748-5827

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