Link between hypothyroidism and behavior...
#1
Posted 19 May 2005 - 04:21 PM
I'm finding that Belle fits a very detailed profile of a likely hypothyroid condition: hair loss, seborrhea (oily skin), coarse coat, excessive skin pigmentation, hyper excitability, unprovoked aggression toward other dogs, incessant whining, nervousness, schizoid behavior, fear in the presence of strangers, hyperventilation, undue sweating, occasional disorientation, failure to be attentive, flakiness, unable to handle any kind of stress, frantically circling, not able to settle down and powers of concentration are very short. This is, by no means, a comprehensive list of the potential symptoms of hypothyroidism as they manifest in MANY forms, these are just the symptoms that pertain to Belle. According to my research, there are three different classes of symptoms that could indicate a hypothyroid condition: Aggression, extreme shyness or seizure-like activity. Belle fits into the aggression category.
We haven't done any indepth thyroid testing on Belle yet, but will begin doing so next week when everyone goes in for titre testing and annual physicals. I'll keep everyone abreast as to our findings. In the meantime, here are a couple of links to some AWESOME articles on the topic:
http://www.thedogsce...othyroidism.htm
http://canine-epilep...re_behavior.htm
http://canine-epilep...roidDisease.htm
#2
Posted 19 May 2005 - 05:57 PM
Jane
*door opens*
*Bark* *Bark* *Bark*
Peanut, you barked at your Dad??
It's me, Peanut, don't you recognize me?
*bark?*
What in the world are you doing coming in the back door? I don't know if I have ever seen you come in the back door. I am usually with you. How did you get to the store without me? How did you get out of the house unnoticed? What is going on here????? Are we off our schedule????? AAAAAAAAAaaaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!??????
*oof*
I protest.
Whadja bring me?
Look I found a 19 squeaker toy for 75% off!
*squeak* *squeak* *squeak*
Peanut's Ponderings: *squeak* is music to my ears, nineteen "squeaks" will be music to theirs.
#3
Posted 19 May 2005 - 07:01 PM
#4
Posted 19 May 2005 - 08:07 PM
I did not make the connection until now, but he was euthanized at age 6 due to cardiomyopathy. I had no idea there was a correlation between thyroid disease and cardiomyopathy.
For those horse lovers out there, I have two mares - a mother and daughter - both of whom are on thyroid. They had a tendency to gain weight, and were incapable of shedding out their winter coats in the spring before treatment. There were no personality or behavior problems either before or after testing and medication.
I did learn, however, in evaluating the mares, that you had to have testing done only at certain labs to actually determine an abnormality. Not every lab tests the same way.
Mandy, I hope the lab work helps to determine if Belle has a physiological problem. Please keep us informed. Thank you for the very informative articles.
Linda
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated ... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.
-------------------------
Never To Be Forgotten
SCD's Sugar Bear 06/18/2017
Shadow a/k/a Little Snoopy
SCD's Betty Boo
SCD's Grindle
Bart (1993-1998)
Gunnar (1986-1992)
Sigmund (1975-1985)
Greta Von Reiman (1972-1984)
#5
Posted 31 May 2005 - 10:07 AM
#6
Posted 31 May 2005 - 01:10 PM
#7
Posted 31 May 2005 - 01:46 PM
In my research, I've also found contact information to a veterinarian who specializes in the canine immune system and hyphothyroidism, her name is Dr. Jean Dodds. Here it is in case you or Dr. Karen would like to contact her should you ever have an "iffy" case:
W. Jean Dodds, DVM
Hemopet
11330 Markon Drive
Garden Grove, CA. 92841
Dr. Dodds can be reached from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific Time, at the following numbers:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday (Phone) 310-828-4804 (Fax) 310-828-8251
Wednesday and Thursday (Phone) 714-891-2022 (Fax) 714-891-2123
#8
Posted 31 May 2005 - 02:04 PM
#9
Posted 01 June 2005 - 11:03 AM
From what I've read, many dogs that have the same behaviorial issues as Belle that can be attributed to hypothyroidism see a change in behavior at around 3 weeks into hormone therapy, although 6 weeks is typically allowed for noticeable changes. Fingers crossed!!
#10
Posted 01 June 2005 - 01:13 PM
#11
Posted 01 June 2005 - 01:48 PM
In her book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You. . . That You Need to Know, Mary Shomon quotes endocrinologist Kenneth Blanchard, M.D., of Lower Newton Falls, Massachusetts as saying, “The key thing is . . . doctors are always told that TSH is the test that gives us a yes or no answer. And, in fact, I think that's fundamentally wrong. The pituitary TSH is controlled not just by how much T4 and T3 is in circulation, but T4 is getting converted to T3 at the pituitary level. Excess T3 generated at the pituitary level can falsely suppress TSH.” Hence, many people who are simply tested for TSH levels and are found to be within “normal” range are, in fact, suffering from “sub-clinical” thyroid problems that are going undetected.
Ridha Arem, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Baylor College of Medicine, agrees. He says that hypothyroidism may exist despite "normal range" TSH levels. In his book The Thyroid Solution he says:
Many people may be suffering from minute imbalances that have not yet resulted in abnormal blood tests. If we included people with low-grade hypothyroidism whose blood tests are normal, the frequency of hypothyroidism would no doubt exceed 10 percent of the population. What is of special concern, though, is that many people whose test results are dismissed as normal could continue to have symptoms of an under active thyroid. Their moods, emotions, and overall well-being are affected by this imbalance, yet they are not receiving the care they need to get to the root of their problems. Even if the TSH level is in the lower segment of normal range, a person may still be suffering from low-grade hypothyroidism. (Copied from http://www.coconutoi...oid_health.htm)
Belle's test results showed her TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels to be quite high, but her overall T3 and T4 levels tested in the low/normal range.
Arda...I'm finding some information on treating hypothyroidism with coconut oil as being very effective. Not sure how cost effective it is, though, but will post any information I find if it's worthwhile.
#12
Posted 01 June 2005 - 05:54 PM
Test done 5/25/05
Total T4: 18 NORMAL: 15-67 nmol/L
Total T3: 1.2 NORMAL: 1.0-2.5 nmol/L
Free T4: 11 NORMAL: 8-26 pmol/L
Free T3: 5.2 NORMAL: 4.5-12 pmol/L
T4 Autoantibody: 8 NORMAL: <20
T3 Autoantibody: 0 NORMAL: <10
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: 42 NORMAL: 0-37 mU/L
Thyroglobulin Autoantibody: 17 NORMAL: 20%=Negative, 20-35%=Inconclusive, 35%=Positive
All of Belle's T3 & T4 levels are within normal ranges but on the low side of normal. Her TSH is above normal. Unfortunately I can't find her test results from seven months ago, but all of her levels were about mid-range at that time. I'll post those results for comparison as soon as I find them.
#13
Posted 08 June 2005 - 10:30 AM
Although not completely "cured," Belle's behavior has seemed to have improved a bit over the past week, although not drastically yet. I haven't seen her run compulsive, uncontrollable laps around the dog yard when she sees an animal, a person, or the horses, which in itself is a BIG improvement for her! When seeing the horses outside through the window, Belle would pace throughout the house and pant heavily--haven't seen her do that all week either. Her recovery period after experiencing such a thing seems to have improved as well, with her returning to "normal" at a much quicker rate.
I haven't taken her to any public places yet to see how she handles herself, but will start doing so soon. I, obviously, haven't seen any improvements in her skin/coat as of yet, but a few more weeks should yield at least a minor change.
I think we're on our way to sanity!!
#14
Posted 08 June 2005 - 10:45 AM
#15
Posted 08 June 2005 - 01:02 PM
I will be starting Rori and Kobe on Soloxine without testing to see if I can find a solutions to their problems. I can't get any weight on them even though we are feeding them a higher ration of food and I have wormed them to the inch degree. They never settle down. Continuely pacing.
THOSE are the 2 circlers/pacers??? I didn't know their names!!!
Joni
Emmalin Jane, George, Clyde, and Rascal (meow & hiss)
From the Bridge - Cosmo (12/2005), Katie (7/2006), Mr. Munchkin (11/2008), Bella DSA, CGC (1/2009), Skitter DSA (12/2010), Beau (11/2014), and Calvin (6/2017)
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger... The on who blesses other is abundantly blessed; those who help other are helped." Proverbs 11:24-25
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5
#16
Posted 08 June 2005 - 01:29 PM
Edited by CAB, 08 June 2005 - 01:30 PM.
-Arda Barber
#17
Posted 08 June 2005 - 02:01 PM
#18
Posted 08 June 2005 - 02:45 PM
Joni
Emmalin Jane, George, Clyde, and Rascal (meow & hiss)
From the Bridge - Cosmo (12/2005), Katie (7/2006), Mr. Munchkin (11/2008), Bella DSA, CGC (1/2009), Skitter DSA (12/2010), Beau (11/2014), and Calvin (6/2017)
"The world of the generous gets larger and larger... The on who blesses other is abundantly blessed; those who help other are helped." Proverbs 11:24-25
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5
#19
Posted 08 June 2005 - 02:56 PM
I'll pay for testing if you'll have them tested. Dr. Karen can pull the blood and send it to MSU for a detailed analysis. It'll be a lot safer to have them tested than to administer hormone therapy replacement without knowing. If you do medicate them, please watch for the following symptoms over the next 24 hours (some symptoms may take up to a week to manifest) after you've administered medication in case they don't have thyroid conditions...
Acute symptoms of increased adrenergic activity:
Abdominal pain
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased appetite
Insomnia
Anxiousness
Agitation
Tremors
Seizures
Weakness
Diaphoresis (perspiration)
Palpitations
Hypertension or hypotension
Hyperpyrexia (abnormally high fever)
#20
Posted 08 June 2005 - 05:17 PM
-Arda Barber
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