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  Discussion on Soft Tissue weakness/damage in hypothyroid horses
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 24, 2002 - 2:10 pm:

Is there any truth to the rumor that hypothyroid horses are more prone to soft tissue damage than others?

Posted on Thursday, Apr 25, 2002 - 7:56 am:

I am not sure there is any truth to the idea that adult horses have problems with hypothyroidism, see the article for more.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 25, 2002 - 9:37 am:

I did read the articles, all of them. But, assuming there is a thyroid problem, is there any connection to soft tissue weakness? Or are you saying, it's impossible for a horse to be hypothyroid?

Posted on Friday, Apr 26, 2002 - 6:14 am:

Quite frankly Jane, with the notable exception of the disease in newborns on high nitrite pastures, we have so few confirmed naturally occuring adult hypothyroid cases to investigate that the word "impossible" comes to mind but prudence restricts me to very unlikely.

Because there are so few documented cases of adult horses with hypothyroidism, what we know about this problem is from investigating horses with artificially induced disease (having their thyroid glands removed). A predisposition to soft tissue damage has not been mentioned in any of the readings I have seen.

In humans hypothyroidism is well associated with delayed wound healing and though not well studied it is felt to predispose to at least some types of injuries. The significance of how this might apply to horses is unknown.
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 26, 2002 - 9:45 am:

DrO,

If a horse isn't actually hypothyroid, then why would he change in response to the Thyro-L medication? His body (crest, hindqtrs) looks better and his energy level is improved. Does that product support something else as well?

Posted on Saturday, Apr 27, 2002 - 9:12 am:

I guess that depends on whether you believe the sun rises because the cock crows.

Every day dozens of things change around and in your horse. The reason for your horses changes could be very well do to other factors. Currently the best research says these are not changes associated with hypothyroidism in horses and that the commonly available tests (T3 / T4) do not accurately reflect thyroid status. Run a search for many discussions like this one we have had before.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002 - 2:14 pm:

Thanks for the input.....jb
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