Skip to content

Thyroid test

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Does anyone here know how to read a thyroid panel? I had one done & the vet said she is normal. But I just want to be sure. I know basenjis are a little different on their readings.
    Thanks in advance for any help someone can offer. 0_1473816214138_image.jpeg

  • @Lily-girl You can send it to Dr. Dodds and ask her for a comment. www.hemopet.org

  • I am one of the seemingly few Dr Dodds not-so-much-a-fan. Thyroid is her demon and she sees it everywhere. I have known too many people for whom her opinion didn't come close to places like Michigan and other testing facilities. While 20 yrs ago thyroid issues were absolutely ignored by many vets, it's one of the first things they do now. I credit her with helping immensely with awareness, but her view that normal range really isn't normal range, that a bit low is bad and needs medication... well, no.

    It is important though, to ask who did the actual labs. It is the one test I do not allow my vets to do in-house. I may be wrong, but comparisons used to show the vet equipment not close to the results of large approved facilities.
    All that said, I do agree that when a dog is low on all, something seems to be off. BUT for basenjis, that may be more normal. I am not sure how much of a database she has on basenjis, but having her look is a good idea. Just get a 2nd opinion if she says abnormal.

    https://www.basenji.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=166&Itemid=292#Thyroid

    When testing your basenji, TT4 and FT4 must be analyzed in conjunction with TSH. Basenjis typically have a lower reference range for TT4 than other breeds. Research conducted by the University of Sydney found that basenjis and some other sighthounds have lower normal levels of TT4 than other dog breeds (Seavers, A.; Snow, D.H.; Mason, K.V.; Malik, R. 2008. Evaluation of the thyroid status of Basenji dogs in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal: 11, 429-434). Given the difficulty of accurately measuring TT4 concentrations that low, TSH level measures are essential to properly assess thyroid function. Otherwise, your basenji may be diagnosed as hypothyroid by the standard all-breed normal range and be medicated for no reason.<<

  • numbers in the middle are your bs levels
    numbers to the right show the ranges for from low to high for example his t3 level is 0.73
    normal ranges from 0.90 to 2.10 thus one arrow down next to the normal range
    dr dodds levels for basenjiis is as follows
    t4 1.15 - 2.60
    free t4 0.70 - 1.70
    t4ft4 ratio 1.25-1.75
    t3 30-70
    free t3 1.6 - 3.5
    tgaa under 10

    the note at the bottom says the t3 is suggestive of a non thyroidal disease
    you should check that out

    you should start doing some research, get informed, figure this stuff out
    because one thing ive learned over the last year dealing with cushings
    is you cant count on your vet to steer you the right way

    hope this helps you :)

    else over the last year ive

  • Thank you for the info on Dodds levels for basenjis. But note she is (hopefully) using something other than Nmol/L

    dr dodds levels for basenjiis
    t4 1.15 - 2.60 .
    free t4 0.70 - 1.70
    t4ft4 ratio 1.25-1.75
    t3 30-70
    free t3 1.6 - 3.5
    tgaa under 10

  • in this order ug/dL ng/dL ng/dL and pg/mL

Suggested Topics

  • Thyroid issues.

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    tanzaT
    @Abaihya think you need a new Vet, no way should the Thyroid blood test be that price.... They draw the blood and it is sent out....
  • How to test, exactly…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    7k Views
    D
    You do not need the full strips unless you are checking for other things. Just make sure you get the strips that test for glucose not ketones! You can buy Bayer Diastix or Bayer Clinistix for strictly glucose urine testing. Jennifer
  • Thyroid Testing - What I Should Know

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I always do the full panel. The issue is that a partial, you still only have partial. And if you suspect issues, you end up running them anyway. Of course it helps that a full panel here is not that much more than a partial (I think it was a bit under 60 or 140 for full). LOL though I did full on Sayblee because she WOULDN'T eat and full on Arwen because she gets almost nothing to eat in order to keep weight down. Both were fine.
  • Thyroids

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    27
    0 Votes
    27 Posts
    17k Views
    curlytailsC
    Right, but "not uncommon" is kind of evasive wording, if that's the official stance on the problem. Kind of like "It has been known to occur…" But Shiba breeders, by and large, aren't registering thyroid information with OFA, unless there's some mistake with the chart of statistics sorted by breed. MSU does have numbers which suggest that it's not common with Shibas, which I think makes it a low priority for Shiba breeders. But just from what I'm gathering anecdotally, it's definitely something worth looking into, especially for shibas with allergies, which a LOT of them are plagued with. I'm not a member of any breed clubs, so I can't say with authority if the stance on thyroids is changing. I think it's generally of low concern, at the moment, compared to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eyes -- which good breeders ARE testing for.
  • When to test?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    @AC~Akeyla: I was wondering when we should have our 1 year old B's checked for Fanconi? For some reason I thought they had to be a certain age. And what is the best way to go about getting them tested? And you are most likely thinking of the urine test strips, which was the only way to detect Fanconi before the DNA Test that is now widely used. Since Fanconi is a late onset, usually it was recommended that Basenjis be strip test with urine test strips beginning no later then age 3 (and tested once a month, every month). If you have a Basenji that DNA tests for Affected, then you still will need to start testing them monthly no later then age 3.
  • Thyroid Testing…

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    6k Views
    Rita JeanR
    That is really good news from Dr. Dobbs. I hope the cream and med's help and soon. Rita Jean