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autoimmune thyroiditis - questions

Posted : 1/23/2010 8:24:47 PM

Bugsy's blood work shows that his T4 and T3 levels are well within the normal range now BUT his TGAA numbers are increasing again. This is the number that indicates the autoimmune thyroiditis.

Initially he was 225 then 168 then 81 now 134 - so a significant increase

Dr Dodds asked again as to whether he was being given his tablets at the right time ie not with his meal and of course he is. I will contact her on Monday but any ideas here? The fact that she seems to think its odd is concerning

All the rest of his blood work seems fine except that once again his creatinine level is slightly high (1.8 top of scale is 1.6). BUN and BUN/creatinine ratio are fine.

She asked about raw or high protein diet which he tends to be on

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 1/23/2010 9:19:01 PM

Karen, I was always under the impression that a dog being treated for thyroid issues should be off thyroid meds for 90 days before one can test the TGAA accurately. TGAA testing could give false negative results if the dog is getting thyroid meds. Maybe I'm wrong though.

I'm going to search my computer cause I'm sure I have an article somewhere that Dr. Dodds wrote on this very issue.

kpwlee

Initially he was 225 then 168 then 81 now 134 - so a significant increase

Are these numbers all from when he was on the thyroid meds?

Johnny & Tessy

calliecritturs

Posted : 1/23/2010 10:58:41 PM

She's not going to object to raw/high protein full scale (she is NOT fond of commercial dog food -- particularly prescription stuff) -- I'd ask her to explain. She tends to be really good about stuff like that. I'm honestly clueless.

When they draw the blood FOR the thyroid panel tho it needs to be 4-6 hours post pill -- THAT is critical.

kpwlee

Posted : 1/24/2010 10:07:21 AM

calliecritturs
When they draw the blood FOR the thyroid panel tho it needs to be 4-6 hours post pill -- THAT is critical.

Yes that was at 5 hours.

What she keeps asking is whether I am giving his tablet 1 hour before or 3 hours after meals and I am religious about that.

I need to tell her about the TPLO and also that he had a rabies booster 35 days prior to blood draw

As for the raw/high protein diet she asked that last time and I told her he was and all was fine. We did a urine screen after the last one (August) and everything was fine there.

Johnny & Tessy thanks for the article I'll read it later today!

As for Bugsy he seems absolutely fine!

calliecritturs

Posted : 1/24/2010 1:47:10 PM

Oh definitely tell her about the surgery and rabies -- both of which could have rattled the immune-system's chains.

Have you had bloodwork done since the surgery (not just an in-house but a panel?) -- if some of his levels are off (and it doesn't take *all* the liver levels to whack things out) it could be throwing the thyroid off. It never ceases to amaze me how inter-related some of this is with the immune system.

kpwlee

Posted : 1/24/2010 2:55:44 PM

this is the first post op blood work and the first since the August panel - nothing else was outside normal, one (liver) value had increased but was still in the normal range.

All the T4 and T3 levels were good - just the autoimmune number was still outside normal (up to 25 is normal)

I'll hope to speak to her tomorrow

jessies_mom

Posted : 1/24/2010 7:19:13 PM

I don't know anything about this but I hope Bugsy will be fine; give him some ear scritches for me.

JackieG

Posted : 1/24/2010 7:25:55 PM

No advice but hoping it's nothing to worry about. You've had enough worries for a while. Smooches for your big boy. :)

kpwlee

Posted : 1/24/2010 7:31:05 PM

oooooooo ear skritches AND smooches his day keeps getting better Wink

I don't think it is anything to worry about but I don't understand it too much LOL - his thyroid hormone levels were excellent.

His other numbers all looked good too. I imagine that the surgery and the rabies shot have upped this TGAA number. His first test was well over 200 so it is lower. Just strange I guess to have gone from 81 - 134

he doesn't care he got to zoom!

FrisbyPI

Posted : 1/24/2010 8:06:45 PM

Yeah for Bugsy zoooooooming! I don't know anything about that test/value...but I hope it's nothing too worrisome.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 1/26/2010 10:24:38 PM

Here is hoping all gets straightgened out with your guy. I have had two dogs with thyroid but but not with the added problem your guy appears to have. Buck and Scooter did just great on theri meds.

I take a pill for thyroid--hae to take it 30 minutes before I eat breakfast. What a pain. I am hungry when I get up and want my coffee! But it is take my pill and wait.

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 1/27/2010 8:42:24 AM

Karen, I probably got this off this site but I'm not 100% sure so I thought I'd give you the link anyway.

http://www.oxfordlabs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25:vt20&catid=4:products-and-services&Itemid=16

It might be an easier way for you to have Bugsy's TGAA checked more frequently if you wanted.

Hope all is well with him.

Scratches and hugs.

kpwlee

Posted : 2/8/2010 5:51:21 PM

Thanks for the link!

I forgot to update with the answer from Dr Dodds:

"The results of the high TgAA mean that the targeted lymphocytes that are
"programmed" by his genes to progressively destroy his thyroid gland have
not yet been "turned off".

However, in Bugsy's case the recent surgery and definitely the rabies
vaccination could have caused the increase in autoimmune destruction. Best
wishes. Jean"

So basically it is likely that everything is just fine - we are to stay on the same dose - and check again in 6 months

Johnny&Tessy

Posted : 2/8/2010 6:07:22 PM

YAY for Bugsy!

Dr. Dodds sure knows what to say to make the brain relax! LOL