Normal Thyroid Levels - Trying To Find The Normal

[Trisven13]

Any idea on where I can find this information? My cousin's dog has been diagnosed with an apparently low T4 level and I can't find anywhere where it states what the average is for each breed.

[fifi]

Trish, I can't remember the actual levels, but Wolfhounds have a lower than average T4 level, you'll need a TSH & not just a T4 for accuracy (not sure what you've had done)

It's one of the first things I check for with weight loss & change in behaviour.

with some wolfhounds, in planning a litter, in order for to give them a better chance of concieving, the breeder may choose to supplement with thyroxine, six weeks before season is due, in order to have sufficient levels. Other's opt for a raw beetroot & kelp supplement.

fifi

edited to add; some breeds do have increased or low levels specific to that breed or line - if its a purebred dog, talk to the breeder who may be aware of the issue.

Edited May 1, 2008 by fifi

[Trisven13]

That is the problem - byb of course! I just thought if I could find somewhere that showed what the standard thyroid level is for each breed (if there is such a thing) they'd have an idea of how bad it is. They've been advised to treat it with medication - does that sound normal? Some of the reading I've seen says that adding kelp for iodine may help but other reading has said that the dog would need crazy levels of those things to improve it.

They were told that the normal level is 19 to 40 and their dog's level is 13. Some reading has shown that the breed does have this (Boxer) but I can't find anywhere which shows what an average level is for that breed. I found a list showing those breeds which are more highly represented but nowhere that shows a breed's "normal" level.

[harper]

Hi Trisven,

I don't know about approximate thyroid levels for different breeds but thought I would put this link up that has some interesting reading about hypothyroidism in dogs.

link

My boy had his T4 and THS tested and even though they came back in the normal range, because of his symptoms, the vet trialled him on the thyroid medication Thyroxine to see if it made any difference. It didn't and he came off the thyroxine but I think many dogs live whole and healthy lives on Thyroid medication.

[Cavandra]

Most Thyroid issues are caused through Vaccinosis.

If the dog is annually vaccinated this is likely to be the cause & should be ceased..........I am not sure how long it takes to get the function back to normal, (if it can), that would be a question for Dr Jean Dodds who is an expert in this field.

Natural therapy for maximising function is to feed Kelp & Apple Cider Vinegar daily.