Exam 8: L4: Hypothyroidism Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Exam 8: L4: Hypothyroidism Deck (18)
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1
Q

Note

A

Hypothyroidism is the most commonly described endocrine disorder of the dog!
-However this may reflect over diagnosis

2
Q

Regulation of thyroid hormone

A

TSH = major modulator of thyroid activity

-from anterior pituitary

3
Q

Thyroid hormone biology

A

1) plasma hormones are largely bound to proteins
- protein bound hormone serves as a large reservoir
2) <1% of T3 and T4 circulate free/unbound*
3) FREE hormone enter cells, produces its biologic effects, then is metabolized
4) **ONLY FREE hormone regulates the feedback mechanism
5) T4 (thyroxine) is the main secretory product of the thyroid gland!
6) most T3 is derived from T4 in peripheral tissues
- T3 IS ACTIVE HORMONE
- <20% of T3 is produced in the thyroid gland

4
Q

T3 diagnosis for hypothyroidism?

A

No, we usually do not look at T3 for diagnosis of hypothyroidism

5
Q

Canine hypothyroidism: classification

A

1) based on the location of the problem within the gland complex
- primary = thyroid problem (most common in the dog ~95%)
- secondary = impaired secretion of TSH by the anterior pituitary
- tertiary = deficient TRH secretion by hypothalamus

6
Q

Primary hypothyroidism

A

1) Irreversible destruction of the thyroid gland
2) histologically, there are 2 main categories (1:1 ratio):
- lymphocytic thyroiditis (a.k.a. autoimmune thyroiditis)
- idiopathic thyroid degeneration (a.k.a. follicular atrophy; loss of thyroid parenchyma and replacement by adipose and fibrous tissue)

7
Q

Clinical signs

A

1) variable, but:
- mental dullness
- lethargy
- exercise intolerance
- weight gain (without increase in food intake)
- heatseeking
- skin/hair coat changes
2) onset is gradual and subtle!!
3) due to decreased cellular metabolism**
4) neuromuscular signs due to segmental demyelination and axonopathy

8
Q

Hypothyroidism clinical signs: skin/haircoat

A

1) alterations in skin and hair coat are the most commonly observed signs in dogs with hypothyroidism
2) skin changes can be quite varied
3) bilaterally symmetric, nonpruritic truncal alopecia
4) failure to regrow hair after clipping
5) classic “rat tail”
6) sebaceous gland atrophy, hyperkeratosis, scales, dry and lusterless hair coat, hyperpigmentation

9
Q

Clinicopathologic abnormalities of hypothyroidism

A

1) biochemistry profile
- fasting hypercholesterolemia (>75% of dogs)
- fasting hypertriglyceridemia
- mechanism: degradation of lipids is suppressed*
- **presence of hypercholesterolemia with appropriate clinical signs is strongly supportive
2) urinalysis
- usually normal
- dogs with lymphoplasmacytic thyroiditis may have proteinuria (secondary to immune complex glomerulonephritis)

10
Q

Total T4 by radioimmunoassay

A

1) screening test!
2) only diagnostic when the value is normal or elevated**
3) you can essentially RULE OUT hypothyroidism with a normal value
- approximately 10% of hypothyroid dogs are missed if you rely solely on TT4 screening (due to the presence of anti-T4 antibodies = = >T4 antibodies may cause a falsely increased T4 value)
4) a value below normal does NOT equate to hypothyroidism
- *non-thyroidal illness and drugs can also lower TT4

11
Q

Effect of non-thyroidal illness on TT4

A

1) many other illnesses and drugs can lower baseline serum TT4 or TT3
2) *many times serum fT4 by dialysis is not affected, but sometimes it is
3) reductions in thyroid hormone concentrations with NTI serve to protect against the catabolism of illness
4) it is inappropriate to correct states of low thyroid concentration, due to NTI, with thyroid hormone

12
Q

Free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations

A

1) direct dialysis or equilibrium dialysis (DD or ED)
- “gold standard” for the measurement of fT4
- only the dialysis method provides the additional information needed to distinguish animals with low TT4 due to NTI, from those with actual hypothyroidism

13
Q

Serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations

A

1) a dog with primary hypothyroidism would be expected to have an elevated TSH
- up to 25% of dogs may have normal TSH values
- elevated TSH is highly specific for primary hypothyroidism
2) TSH should not be used alone as a screening test!
3) it does add specificity to an observation of a low TT4/fT4

14
Q

Complicating factors

A

1) NTI results in depression of TT4 and TT3, with a reduction in fT4ED only in the most severe illnesses
2) distinguishing NTI from hypothyroidism: CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ANIMAL

3) it is inappropriate to start thyroid supplementation based on the sole observation of a low TT4 without clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism!

15
Q

Effect of drugs

A

The following may decrease TT4, fT4, and/or TSH:

1) glucocorticoids
2) phenobarbital
3) sulfonamides
4) carpofren

16
Q

Summary for optimal testing sequence

A

1) normal fT4ED and TSH values almost always identify an euthyroid animal
2) low TT4 or fT4ED, together with high TSH, confirms hypothyroidism in most cases

17
Q

Monitoring response to treatment

A

1) critically evaluate treatment after 6-8 weeks of supplementation
2) with appropriate treatment, all clinical signs of hypothyroidism are reversible
3) measure T4 and TSH 4-6 hours after administration of supplementation
- post-dose T4 should be in the upper half or above the reference range = = >this is the peak
- TSH should be in the reference range

18
Q

Remember

A

TT4 is a SCREENING TEST = a normal value essentially rules out hypothyroidism, a low value means additional testing is needed