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Lisa Kendrick
Member
Username: Redk
Post Number: 12
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 11, 2003 - 10:48 am: |   |
Hello all -
My 4 YO tb/paint gelding developed swollen thyroid glands over the winter (02-03). They are about the size of golf balls. He was slow to shed out this summer, but other than that, seemed to show no signs of illness. My vet looked at him in July and said "yea, it's probably thyroid disease". Nothing was done at that point, because he was asymptomatic. As of Nov 1st, his thyroid glands were still very enlarged. He actually has visible bulges on either side of his throatlatch area. I decided to have him tested. A thyroid profile was sent to MSU and all levels came back within normal limits. The TT3 was at the low end of normal. The endocrinologist at MSU suspected a metabolic response to a nonthyroidal illness.
Upon receiving lab results, we ran a CBC and full profile. All results came back within normal limits, so my vet said that could rule out infection, anemia and systemic disorders.
I'm not sure where to go from here. We can't seem to find anything grossly wrong, and yet the swellings persist. A biopsy would probably reveal that "yes" the thyroid is enlarged / inflammed, but not the specific reason why. Am I a neglectful owner if I just let it be? What more, diagnostically could be done?
Thanks |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 9447
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003 - 9:22 am: | |
I hate to argue with an endocrinologist but my undestanding is that equine thyroid function cannot be measured by T3/T4 levels. A thyroid stimulation test must be done measuring the response to stimulation. I would be interested in any information to the contrary. Also has iodine in the diet been evaluated? Both too much or too little can cause enlargment of the thyroids, for more on this see the several articles we have on thyroid disease at » Equine Diseases » Endocrine Disorders » and the article that contains information on iodine in the diet » Care for Horses » Nutrition » Minerals and Nutrition.
DrO |
