How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will conduct a physical examination. Your cat’s neck area will be palpated to check for enlarged glands. Your cat’s heart rate and blood pressure may also be checked. If thyroid disease is suspected, your veterinarian will likely order a blood-chemistry panel as well as a thyroid-hormone level. Most cats with hyperthyroidism will have elevated levels of the thyroid hormone T4 in their bloodstream. A small percentage of cats with hyperthyroidism, however, will have T4 levels within the normal range. If that is the case, but hyperthyroidism is still strongly suspected, your veterinarian may recommend additional tests to help confirm the diagnosis. Because hyperthyroidism can predispose a cat to other conditions, it is important to evaluate general health, with particular focus on the heart and kidneys. The blood-chemistry panel and urinalysis will help reveal information about other organs and provide your veterinarian with an overall picture of your cat’s health. How i
Current rating: 4 out of 5 star rating • (0) • Send to a friend • Print this article A blood test can diagnose hyperthyroidism. A normal blood test will also rule it out if symptoms suggest that it may be a possible diagnosis. One or both of the following may be measured: • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This hormone is made in the pituitary gland in the brain. It is released into the bloodstream. It stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroxine. If the level of thyroxine in the blood is high, then the pituitary releases less TSH. Therefore, a low level of TSH means the thyroid gland is overactive and is making too much thyroxine. • Thyroxine (T4). A high level of T4 confirms hyperthyroidism. Other tests are sometimes done to clarify the cause. For example, an ultrasound scan of the thyroid or a thyroid scan may be done if you have a nodular goitre. Other blood tests may be done if a rare cause is suspected.
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then he or she will order blood tests to see how much thyroid hormone your body is making. Sometimes hyperthyroidism is found while you are having a test for another reason. You may be surprised to find out that you have this problem. How is it treated? If your symptoms bother you, your doctor may give you pills called beta-blockers. These can help you feel better while you and your doctor decide what your treatment should be. Even if your symptoms do not bother you, you still need treatment, because hyperthyroidism can lead to more serious problems. Radioactive iodine and antithyroid medicine are the treatments doctors use most often. The best treatment for you will depend on a number of things, including your age. Some people need more than one kind of treatment. • Radioactive iodine is the most common treatment. Most people are cured after drinking one dose. It destroys part of your thyroid gland, but it does not h
Individuals with hyperthyroidism usually tell their doctors about symptoms such as rapid heart rate, intense fatigue, inability to tolerate a hot environment, and constant nervousness, jitteriness, or irritability. In addition, doctors look for physical signs such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, slight tremors of the hands, or excessive sweating. The presence of such symptoms and signs strongly suggests the need for diagnostic testing for hyperthyroidism.
