What's included in thyroid panel?

[whiskers]

Juno's going to the vet on Wednesday to get her alopecia re-examined, and I'm going to request that we test her thyroid. Now from what I understand, a TgAA would be a pretty important test for us, given her age and I don't want the vet to just dismiss the problem if her other results are within "normal" ranges, even if they're low-normal.

I've only heard of that test on this forum though, so is it something that is typically included, do I have to specifically ask for it, or...? I feel like we'll be wasting our time if that test doesn't get done.

 

[darwinsmom]

It is not typically included. Usually they will only test for T4 levels. There are two labs that I found for full panel thyroid testing. Hemopet/Hemolife and Michigan State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health.

We ended up using Hemolife because they provide an interpretation of the results, as many vets may not be able to correctly interpret the results. My vet had no problem with this and actually wanted the endrocrine specialist's opinion.

The test we got included T4, freeT4, T3, freeT3 and TgAA. It cost $71.

 

[Cami]

I believe there are about 5 labs in the US that provide TgAA testing. Your vet will know which place is closest to you BUT you can by all means request where you want the testing done. I too have used Hemopet in the past and have been very pleased with their service. You can have the results e-mailed directly to you (your vet will also get the results).
There will be a line by line analysis and specific notes on your dog based on age, breed and sex by Dr. Dodd's. She is also available after the fact if you have any questions via e-mail.
If you decide to go that route you need to go to their website and print out the necessary forms to submit with the blood sample. You also need the instructions printed out for your vet which show what they need for testing, storage of sample and where to ship it to.

Just simply TELL your vet that you want a complete thyroid panel test run and it must include the TgAA. Don't ASK if they think it would be a good idea, just matter of factly (is that a word?) tell them what you want.

I've also used MSU and it ran just a bit over $100 and the report wasn't nearly as thorough. Also have to remember the charges from your vet for the blood draw, office visit, needle disposal and shipping charges.

 

[whiskers]

Just simply TELL your vet that you want a complete thyroid panel test run and it must include the TgAA. Don't ASK if they think it would be a good idea, just matter of factly (is that a word?) tell them what you want.

Yeah, I like my vet but I have a feeling it's going to be like pulling teeth on this issue. When we brought her in right after Christmas to look at this hair loss, I casually asked if maybe it was her thyroid (and it was really just a curious statement because at that point I really didn't think her thyroid was the problem). He was pretty sure that NO WAY would a dog under 1 year old have an issue with their thyroid and that drawing blood to run tests for that would be too aggressive. I'm sure his stance hasn't changed in 2 months. Especially if I'm going to be picky about WHAT tests are run and WHERE they send it. :D

I think we'll go with Hemolife.... thanks

 

[Cami]

Your vet doesn't sound any different that *most* other vets.

The thyroid is a tricky little thing. Most vets have NOT seen a dog that is only a year old with thyroid issues unless it is related to a tumor....also rare at that age.

What is now known is that thyroiditis (when it occurs) starts at puberty and sometimes, more often than not there are NO symptoms. No symptoms, no testing hence the vets just do not see this problem very often in their day to day practice.

Factor in when dogs DO start showing symptoms and they run a basic thyroid panel....it comes up NORMAL. It can take years for something amiss to show up there. Thankfully now there is a TgAA test available that can show problems much sooner. Addressing the issue sooner helps the patient! If I had known way back when to request that test I could have saved Cami from multiple bouts with staph infections through the years in addition to some other things. I could have also saved myself quite a bit in expenses. It is very well possible that she would not have gotten those infections with earlier supplementation....less trips to the vets office, less testing to determine what the infection was and less medications to treat them! Live and learn.

If the tests come up OK then you have at minimum not only ruled something out but given yourself peace of mind. You can't put a price on that.
Keep us posted.

 

[whiskers]

Oh definitely, part of me actually wants this test to come up positive so that we have some sort of answer and can start treating her, and maybe her weird behavior will get resolved. But if everything comes up normal then at least I know it's NOT the problem, rather than my vet just ASSUMING that it couldn't be the problem.

Thank you thank you, I'll update when we know anything.

 

[whiskers]

Well I'm quite upset. Vet won't do the test. He said it's a waste of money but if we -really- wanted him to, he'd do a T4. Says if nothing is wrong with her T4 levels, then nothing is wrong with her thyroid. Dogs this age don't have thyroid problems, thyroid disease is incredibly OVERdiagnosed in dogs, etc. etc. No one listens to what I have to say, I said a million times that I KNOW she is not hypothyroid yet. I'm just mad that he can't just humor me and do the flipping test. I'd almost be inclined to think it's just because he'd have to use a different lab, because he would have done the T4 but not the TgAA.

So, I work at a clinic so I suppose I will just ask them if they will do it. I'm just... ugh very mad, complete waste of an appointment. I mean it's probably more likely that her thyroid is fine but just let me test MY dog.

 

[Gatorblu]

I don't understand why a vet would refuse to a test if you are willing to pay for it. It's not an invasive test, right? I've been having a similar problem and am now looking for another vet.

 

[Cami]

Dogs this age don't have thyroid problems, thyroid disease is incredibly OVERdiagnosed in dogs, etc. etc.

Seems your vet is very close minded. I am sorry you had to not only pay for an appointment that didn't leave you feeling better but for feeling like you got the run around.

I agree with him in that a younger dog doesn't typically have thyroid DISEASE however thyroiditis is a precursor and starts at puberty.

I'd not return to that clinic any longer. I would call various locations and ask to have a phone consult with a vet and ASK them if they would be willing to have this test run. Also tell them that you can have all of your dogs health history from the other vet faxed (or delivered) to them.
THEN.....I'd be on the phone so fast inquiring with the previous vets office about what the process is to have your dogs records transferred to new vet. Whatever you need to sign for release of info can be done ASAP.

DON'T GIVE UP!

 

[whiskers]

Unfortunately my mom LOVES this vet, we've been going to him for nearly 13 years. This is actually one of the reasons why she loves him so much, he doesn't push things on us if he doesn't see them as necessary. She hangs on to his every word, going into this appointment my mom said I was on my own with the arguing because she knows nothing about it, but that she'd support whatever I wanted to do... but after hearing his spiel she thinks it's silly of me to keep pursuing this.

I agree with him in that a younger dog doesn't typically have thyroid DISEASE however thyroiditis is a precursor and starts at puberty.

This is what I kept trying to get at. I don't know if I just wasn't explaining it properly because I don't know THAT much about it, or if he just doesn't think there's any way I could possibly know something a vet doesn't... but he just wasn't hearing any of it. The tech seemed open minded enough about it, she looked at the paperwork I had printed off for it, but she had never really heard about it before so she went just to check if the lab they use runs the test... and then the vet came in and was all no no no. I just don't understand, if you're willing to run a T4, why can't we do a TgAA? I once again tried explaining that her levels would probably come back as NORMAL, that we're NOT checking for full-blown hypothyroidism... to no avail.

His other thing was that if she had these antibodies, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with her thyroid? He gave me some statistic like 50% of dogs naturally have them or have elevated numbers or something but their thyroid is fine.

It's not an invasive test, right?

Not at all! It's a simple blood draw, and then all they'd have to do is spin it down to get serum and ship it to the lab. Heck, I know how to draw blood, if I had all the proper tools I could do it myself.

Right now he's viewing the alopecia as demodectic mange and he's giving us the option as to whether or not we want to treat or leave it be and see if it clears up. Yes, he did find demodex mites, but I would probably find those on my other dog that is completely healthy, or any other dog for that matter. I just don't find it coincidental that the alopecia, the incessant whining, the "mood swings" etc. all started at around the same time.

If we tested and everything looked perfect, I would not view that as a waste of money. That would be great! I would at least know what we're NOT dealing with and I'd be more comfortable sticking to the d-mange diagnosis.

Sorry this is so long and jumbled... I feel like everyone thinks I'm crazy now and that I'm just making stuff up. I was sooo excited for the appointment tonight, I thought I was finally on my way to answers, instead we just got told the same stuff he told us 2 months ago and I'm STILL not satisfied with that answer.