Αποτελέσματα Αναζήτησης
Free T4 (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) are evaluated only if the T4 concentration is low (FIGURE 2). Combined T4, fT4, and TSH testing is not recommended at this stage and may add unnecessary expense since a normal T4 concentration effectively rules out hypothyroidism.
OFA testing includes free T4, Canine Thyroglobulin Autoantibody detection and TSH. T4 and T3 Total T4 (or Thyroxine) measurement is a useful screening test for diagnosing hypothyroidism in dogs.
Dogs with T4 results in the low normal range may be hypothyroid. In dogs with low or low normal T4 results and with consistent clinical signs, consider one or more of the following to aid in confirming hypothyroidism: Free T4 (fT4)
If a dog has a known T4 autoantibody, you need to use free T4 by dialysis to monitor T4 supplementation. Total and free T4 results will be accurate with either profile in dogs that have a positive T3 autoantibody result only.
Free T4 is available by Immulite or by equilibrium dialysis for dogs. TgA positive dogs may have falsely elevated Free T4 Immulite results, so should always be tested using the free T4 by dialysis method available for other species.
Hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose with a blood test that checks the level of various thyroid hormones including T4. Most hypothyroid dogs respond readily to treatment with synthetic thyroid medication such as Soloxine. Many dogs suffer from a low thyroid hormone level for years without treatment.
