In:
Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Wiley, Vol. 41, No. 1 ( 2012-03), p. 110-113
Abstract:
Hypothyroidism in dogs is often difficult to diagnose owing to nonspecific clinical signs and laboratory test results that can be mimicked by nonthyroidal illness ( NTI ). Thyroxine ( T 4) circulates in blood mainly bound to T 4‐binding globulin and, to a lesser degree, transthyretin ( TTR ) and albumin. The concentration of total T 4 depends on the concentrations of these binding proteins. Objectives We hypothesized that dogs with NTI and decreased serum total T 4 concentrations would have decreased serum TTR concentrations. The objective of the study was to measure and compare serum TTR concentrations in healthy dogs, in dogs with NTI and low serum T 4 concentrations, and in dogs with hypothyroidism. Methods Assignment of dogs to 3 groups was based on physical examination and serum concentrations of T4 and TSH (mean ± SD ): for healthy dogs ( n = 13), T 4 was 24.8 ± 3.6 nmol/L and TSH was 0.15 ± 0.08 μg/L; for dogs with NTI and low T 4 ( n = 20), T 4 was 3.2 ± 3.0 nmol/L and TSH was 0.18 ± 0.13 μg/L; and for hypothyroid dogs ( n = 19), T4 was 5.3 ± 4.3 nmol/L and TSH was 2.33 ± 1.90 μg/L). TTR concentrations in serum were determined semiquantitatively using western blot analysis. Results Serum TTR concentration (mean ± SD ) was decreased in the dogs with NTI (24.8 ± 7.9 mg/L) compared with that of hypothyroid dogs (41.1 ± 21.4 mg/L, P = .0035). Differences were not found between TTR concentrations in clinically healthy dogs (33.3 ± 10.1 mg/L) and hypothyroid dogs or dogs with NTI . Conclusions Serum TTR concentrations were significantly decreased in dogs with NTI and low T 4 compared with concentrations in hypothyroid dogs. Additional studies should be done to determine if TTR concentrations can discriminate between dogs with NTI and low T 4 and dogs with primary hypothyroidism.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0275-6382
,
1939-165X
DOI:
10.1111/vcp.2012.41.issue-1
DOI:
10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00394.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
429597-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2114702-4
SSG:
22
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