Gypsy's Thyroid Test is Back

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dawns2shelties

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So Gypsy's Thyroid tests are back and again they are saying her thyroid is normal. I have been questioning this for 2 years because she is way overweight and IS NOT OVERFED, she does not tolerate exercise well, you all know about the skin issues, she is aggressive towards other dogs and her cholesterol is high all classic symptoms.

Many of you know of Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue and their page says a Sheltie should test 2-4 to be in the normal range. Here are her results.

T4 1.7 normal is 1-4
TSH .16 normal 0-8
Free T4 20 normal 8-40

I would appreciate any input and yes I am going to put in a call to Dr. Dodds again.
 
I am not familiar with the numbers....and I dealt with a thyroid issue in my setter, not a sheltie. What I can tell you is that my setter had itchy skin, unusual aggression with other dogs, was overweight, and very lazy (yes...a lazy setter).

It sounds like Gypsy has all the same symptoms.

If I get some time later on, I will pull up his files and let you know his numbers. But again, he was a different breed and from what I understand, normal isn't the same for every breed.

Stay strong!
Dani
 
t-4

Dawn I concur with SheltieChe, t-4 at 1.7 is low for a sheltie. Harper Lee was at 1.7 if you remember and we got her up to 2 which is sheltie range. Within a month her skin cleared up and her agression while not gone, ebbed significantly. Harper is nineteen pounds.

Of course you couldn't be in more capable hands than with Dr. Dodds.

Best,
Kate
 
How incredibly frustrating, Dawn. It sounds from what others have said that you may have a thyroid issue and working on that might help heal some of Gypsy's other problems. Would your vet consider trying a thyroid med based on what SheltieChe, Kate and Dani have told you about norms for Shelties? I hope Dr. Dodds can help you.
 
Thanks everyone for confirming what I have read to be true. I have printed out the info stating a Sheltie should be at a 2 from Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue and will take it to him on Monday. If he doesn't agree I will also be speaking with her Dermatologist who reordered the tests knowing she was tested twice previously. I was so relieved when he asked me to do them again. So I will get one of them to give her the meds and if not them I will go elsewhere. :yes:
 
dawns2shelties said:
So Gypsy's Thyroid tests are back and again they are saying her thyroid is normal. I have been questioning this for 2 years because she is way overweight and IS NOT OVERFED, she does not tolerate exercise well, you all know about the skin issues, she is aggressive towards other dogs and her cholesterol is high all classic symptoms.

Many of you know of Central Illinois Sheltie Rescue and their page says a Sheltie should test 2-4 to be in the normal range. Here are her results.

T4 1.7 normal is 1-4
TSH .16 normal 0-8
Free T4 20 normal 8-40

I would appreciate any input and yes I am going to put in a call to Dr. Dodds again.
Click to expand...



The ranges that your blood clinic use are different than mine, so I don't know how to comment.

My first question is why would it not be universal?
 
I might be able to shed some light here. When I had Revel's senior bloodwork done they told me his Phosphorous was low and gave me the readings. I checked it out on the web and the ranges I could find (on several different sites) made Revel's 'normal'. I was really puzzled so asked for the print out (for my records). Then it became clear that the units of measurement were different. Revel's readings were in mmol/l and the ranges on the web were in mg/dl.
Here in the UK the mmol/l is used, but a friend of mine had bloodwork done and it was sent to the States for a profile and came back in mg/dl units.

Just guessing but if you only have figures but no units, this could be the case here?


http://www.faqs.org/faqs/diabetes/faq/part1/section-9.html
 
Here is the problem with just looking at T4 numbers. They can be low with chronic illness which Gyspy has. So is 1.7 that abnormal. good question.

The Free T4 and TSH are normal. In fact, the free T4 in in the mid range. She does have some signs, cholesterol weight, skin etc. This is one of these grey cases to me. NO right decision. You could do a trial and see if it helps. But be aware you will then be shutting dwon the natural feedback of the thyroid and decreasing it natural function. I for one would be interested in what Dr. Dodds says.

As for why don't lab have similar values. I don't know why is Canada using C and the US F for temperapture. or lb vs kg. We like being difficult here is the states.:lol:
 
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