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The standard tests for thyroid are fine, but you and your vet need to understand the appropriate ones for Basenjis. All tests need to be interpreted in conjunction with a thorough knowledge of the animal's health and temperament and everything-else history, including age, reproductive status and immunization status. Having said that, it really isn't that hard. A good baseline panel for a healthy dog with no issues in any of these areas is a free T4(by equilibrium dialysis) and a TgAA. The free T4 measures the functional thyroid hormone in circulation, and the TgAA detects whether there are autoantibodies against thyroglobulin(thyroglobulin is the storage form of thyroid antibodies in the thyroid itself) in circulation When a critical mass of the thyroid is destroyed by the autoantibodies, the free T4 level decreases, but early in the disease may still be in the normal range or even elevated. When the thyroid is completely destroyed, which may take years, the autoantibodies may disappear, but the free T4 will remain low. Basenjis, as well as other sight hounds, have a higher incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis (prevalence of slightly over 16% in Basenjis) and early detection allows the owner and vet to be on the alert for the appropriate time to begin thyroid hormone supplementation. CAVEAT! The tests MUST be run at an accredited laboratory, and there are quite a few. Antech, a commercial laboratory and the University of Michigan among them. Antech offers panels, so you may end up with a total T4 and a cTSH in order to get the TgAA, but for a Basenji, you really need the TgAA as a baseline. I check my Basenjis, Khonsu and Jane, on a yearly basis. Tell the vet ahead of time that you will be fasting your Basenji from midnight on the day of the blood draw, allowing water of course! Since blood tests require different tubes with different preservatives, you need to let them know you want to do a thyroid screen as well. If your vet is not Basenji or sight hound savvy, they may not know about the TgAA and why it is necessary. Also, the free T4 is best done by equilibrium dialysis, and the abbreviation is free T4(ed); not the free T4(RIA). You may not be able to get both without the total T4 and a T3, because it may be all bundled in one panel. But you can ask what panels are provided by the lab; see if your vet uses an OFA approved lab for thyroid testing. (see Basenji Club of America web site: http://www.basenji.org/ . If not, request that the thyroid be sent to an OFA approved lab. Better to discuss this a day or so before taking your Basenji in so your vet can get the necessary test requirements and shipping forms before the blood is drawn. Article copyright © 2008 by Katy Scott MD. |