Hypothyroidism Flashcards
Review the HPA axis do it
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Which thyroid hormone is the most biologically active?
T3
T3
- Most biologically active
- Enters cell more rapidly
- 3-5x more potent than T4
How is T3 typically made?
- only 20% made in the thyroid
- Majority produced by peripheral deiodination of T4
How are thyroid hormones produced in the thyroid gland?
- Thyroid peroxidase binds together tyrosine on the thyroglobulins to oxidized iodide = iodinated tyrosine residues
- Iodinated tyrosine resudes are transformed into T3 and T4 and secreted bound to thyroglobulin
How common is primary hypothyroidism relative to secondary hypothyroidism?
- Most common
Definition of hypothyroidism
- Decrease in T3 and T4
Possible hypothyroidism etiologies
- Thyroiditis
- Idiopathic Atrophy
- Neoplasia
Thyroiditis
- Lymphocytic inflammatory infiltration
- Replacement with fibrous connective tissue
- Suspected to be immune mediated
Idiopathic atrophy
- Replacement by adipose and connective tissue
- End-stage thyroiditis?
Thyroid neoplasia
- Most thyroid tumors are non-functional
- Potentially destructive
- Uncommon overall
Breeds associated with hypothyroidism
- CAN BE ANY BREED
- Golden
- Dobie
- Beagle
- Great Dane
- English and Irish setters
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Borzoi
- Toy Fox Terrier
Typical age of Hypothyroid
- Middle-aged
- Mean of 7 years with a big range
- Breeds predisposed to thyroiditis tend to be younger at diagnosis
Sex of dogs with hypothyroid
- Spayed/neutered dogs of either gender
Common categories of clinical signs with hypothyroid
- Metabolic
- Dermatologic
- Neurologic
- Cardiovascular
- Other
Metabolic clinical signs underlying cause
- Decreased metabolic rate
- Insidious onset
Metabolic clinical signs
- Lethargy
- Weight gain
- Heat-seeking/cold intolerance
- Mental dullness
- Unwillingness to exercise
Dermatologic clinical signs
- Symmetric alopecia (failure of hair to grow back)
- Hyperpigmentation
- Dry, scaly skin
- Superficial pyoderma
- Otitis
- Rat-tail (hair loss in areas with more trauma, and the hair has a harder time re-growing)
- Seborrhea
- Change in hair quality (dry, brittle)
- Myxedema (thickening of skin, forehead, eyelids due to mucin deposits secondary to loss of thyroid hormone)
Tragic expression in hypothyroidism
- Myxedema (thickening of skin, forehead, eyelids due to mucin deposits secondary to loss of thyroid hormone)
Neurologic clinical signs in HypoTh affecting the Peripheral Nervous System
- Ranges from weakness and exercise intolerance to ataxia and quadriparesis
Neurologic clinical signs in HypoTh affecting the Central Nervous System
- Seizures, central vestibular disease, mentation changes
Neurologic clinical signs in HypoTh affecting the Cranial Nerves
- Facial nerve paralysis
- Vestibular disease
Cardiovascular Clinical signs with HypoTh
- Bradycardia
- Low QRS voltage
- Inverted T wave
- Reduced left ventricular pump function
- Rarely a primary cause of myocardial failure
- Leads to a weak heart
- NOT MAJOR
Concurrent DCM with Hypothyroidism
- They can occur, e.g. with a Great Dane
- Weak heart gets weaker
- Treatment for hypothyroidism might help DCM clinical signs
Reproductive signs associated with HypoTh
- Reproductive dysfunction
Other clinical signs associated with Hypothyroidism
- Megaesophagus (treatment can resolve)
- Laryngeal paralysis (treatment does not usually resolve)
- Ocular changes
- Not proven to be causal
- Treatment does not consistently reverse clinical signs
Other disease that can be confused with or dfdx’s for hypothyroidism?
- Cushing’s
- Atopic dermatitis
What is the most important question you should ask yourself before trying to diagnose hypothyroidism?
- IS THE DOG SICK?
- Base upon history, clinical signs, and physical exam