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- Author or Editor: Joseph M. Bruner x
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Objective
To evaluate use of an assay for measuring serum concentration of canine thyroid-stimulating hormone (cTSH) as an aid for diagnosing thyroid disease in a population of dogs suspected of having hypothyroidism.
Design
Case-cohort study.
Animals
62 healthy dogs and 49 dogs with clinical signs consistent with hypothyroidism (16 were hypothyroid and 33 were euthyroid with concurrent disease).
Procedure
Samples from healthy dogs were used to establish a reference range for serum cTSH concentration. The 49 dogs were categorized as hypothyroid or euthyroid with concurrent disease on the basis of clinical signs, results of additional diagnostic and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) response tests, and response to administration of levothyroxine sodium. Function of the thyroid gland was considered normal when serum total thyroxine (T4) concentration 6 hours after TSH administration was > 2.5 µg/dl. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed when serum T4 concentration after TSH administration was ≤ 1.5 µg/dl.
Results
Serum cTSH concentration differed significantly among all 3 groups. Four of 33 (12%) euthyroid dogs had cTSH concentrations that were greater than the reference range, whereas 6 of 16 (38%) hypothyroid dogs had cTSH concentrations within the reference range. Specificity for serum cTSH concentration was 0.88 and sensitivity was 0.63. When interpreted in combination with serum T4 concentration, specificity increased to 1.0.
Clinical Implications
cTSH assay had good specificity for use in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism in dogs. Because this assay had low sensitivity, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism could not be excluded on the basis of a serum cTSH concentration that was within the reference range. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 212:387-391)
Objective
To determine effect of time of sample collection on serum thyrotropin (canine thyroid-stimulating hormone [cTSH]) concentrations in euthyroid and hypothyroid dogs.
Design
Prospective study.
Animals
6 healthy adult euthyroid dogs, 6 adult Beagles with 131iodine-induced hypothyroidism before and during administration of levothyroxine sodium, and 6 adult dogs with naturally developing hypothyroidism.
Procedure
Healthy euthyroid dogs were identified. Hypothyroidism was induced by administration of 131sodium iodide and confirmed by thyroid-stimulating hormone testing. These dogs then received levothyroxine for 30 days. Naturally developing hypothyroidism was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs, low serum thyroxine (T 4) concentrations, and high cTSH concentrations or abnormal results on a thyrotropin-releasing hormone response test. Samples for measurement of cTSH and T4 concentrations were obtained at 2-hour intervals from 8 AM to 8 pm.
Results
Mean (± SD) serum cTSH concentrations for healthy dogs, dogs with induced hypothyroidism before and during treatment, and dogs with naturally developing hypothyroidism were 0.11 ± 0.08, 3.31 ± 1.30, 0.08 ± 0.07, and 0.55 ± 0.27 ng/ml, respectively. Diurnal variation in cTSH concentrations was not detected. Clinically important random fluctuations in cTSH concentrations were detected for dogs with naturally developing hypothyroidism.
Clinical Implications
Sample collection time does not appear to predictably influence cTSH concentrations; however, dogs with naturally developing hypothyroidism may have random fluctuations in cTSH concentrations. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998; 212:1572–1575)