SA Endocrine Flashcards
(151 cards)
Briefy describe the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis
Hypothalamus releases TRH (thyroid releasing hormone)
- > Pituitary gland releases TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
- > Thyroid gland releases T4 and T3
- > These have a negative feedback effect on the pituitary gland and hypothalamus
Of T3 and T4, which is more numerous in peripheral tissues?
T4
Which is more potent, T3 or T4?
T3
How are thyroid hormones bound in the blood?
To plasma proteins
Only unbound thyroid hormones are active
What are the functions of the thyroid hormones?
- Increase metabolic rate and 02 consumption of most tissues
- Positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on heart (increase HR and contractility)
- Cause hypertension (increase number and affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors)
- Metabolic effects of muscle and adipose tissue (weight loss)
- Stimulate erythropoiesis and regulate cholesterol synthesis and degradation
Which kinds of dogs are affected by hypothyroidism?
Middle aged to older
What are the 2 main forms of hypothyroidism in dogs?
Congenital and acquired (may be primary or secondary)
How may canine hypothyroidism occur?
- Result of thyroid hypoplasia/aplasia/dyshormonogenesis (thyroid anatomically normal but can’t synthesise normal thyroid hormones)
- Disproportionate dwarfism
- Autosomal recessive in Fox and Rat terriers
- Panhypopituitarism in GSD (deficiency in all pituitary hormones)
Give some primary causes of acquired hypothyroidism in dogs
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis and/or idiopathic atrophy
- Aggressive thyroid neoplasia and treatment with potentiated sulphonamides
Give some clinical signs of canine hypothyroidism
- Obesity with a normal appetite
- Lethargy
- Exercise intolerance
- Cold intolerance (always looking for warmth)
- Hair thinning/alopecia (oily trunk and tail)
- Skin hyperpigmentation
What would you see on a haematology of a dog with hypothyroidism?
Mild normocytic, normochromic, non-regenerative anaemia (32-44% of cases)
What would you see on a biochemistry of a dog with hypothyroidism?
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Hypertriglyceridaemia
- Mild elevations in creatinine kinase, ALP and ALT
- Elevation of circulating fructosamine
How can you measure thyroid hormones?
- Total T4 (tT4)
- Free T4 (fT4)
- Total T3 (tT3)
- TSH
Why may you get false positive results when doing a total T4 test to diagnose canine hypothyroidism?
Total T4 can be reduced by non-thyroid illness and drug therapy (eg sulphonamides)
Which dog breeds have lower-than-normal values for total T4?
Greyhounds and other sighthounds and sled dogs
What is the best way to diagnose canine hypothryoidism?
TSH combined with tT4
Will have low tT4 and high TSH due to lack of negative feedback
How do you treat canine hypothyroidism?
Levothyroxine
- Start at 0.01-.02mg/kg q 12hrs (lower dose for cardiac patients)
- Metabolic signs should resolve in a few weeks, but dermatological changes may take months to resolve
What are the only 3 instances that a dog may develop hyperthyroidism?
- Over-supplementation in hypothyroid dogs
- Neoplasia affecting thyroid gland
- Raw food diet containing neck meat and thyroid tissue (not in UK)
Which cat breed is predisposed to diabetes?
Burmese
Which kinds of cats are more affected by hyperthyroidism?
- Older cats 13-14 years old
- (Himalayan and Siamese are less at risk)
How does feline hyperthyroidism typically occur?
- Nodular adenomatous hyperplasia of thyroid gland (usually both lobes)
- Occasionally due to functional malignant tumours (1-3% of cases)
Give the clincial signs of feline hyperthyroidism
- Weight loss with increased appetite
- PUPD
- Hyperactivity/behaviour change eg nervous/aggressive
- GI signs (vomiting/diarrhoea)
- Tachycardia, heart murmur, cardiac failure
- Systemic hypertension
- Skin and hair coat changes
What is a ‘thyroid storm’?
Hyperthyroid cats:
-Stress eg vets -> increased hypertension -> tachycardia (due to excess T4) -> could have sudden death
What may you see on a haematology and biochemistry of a cat with hyperthyroidism?
- Mild to moderate erythrocytosis and macrocytosis
- Increased Heinz bodies
- Leukocytosis
- Increased mean platelet size
- Increased ALP, ALT, AST, LDH
- Azotaemia
- Reduced fructosamine
- Hypokalaemia
- Hyperphostpahtaemia