How do vets diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats?
Diagnosing hyperthyroidism will require blood tests to measure the levels of thyroid hormones (T4) in your cats’ blood. Most cats will have a significantly elevated T4 level2. In cats with borderline or high normal T4 levels, a free T4 test may be done to confirm the disease.
How fast does thyroid medicine work in cats?
In cats, oral methimazole is rapidly absorbed, with: An oral bioavailability of 93% Maximal serum concentrations seen within 1.5 hours. Mean half-life of 3.12 hours and serum concentrations at 24 hours—after a single oral 5-mg dose—of 21.7 ± 28.9 ng/mL.
When do you know if your cat has hyperthyroidism?
A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is made when the level of thyroid hormone is increased in the blood. Most hyperthyroid cats have very high levels of hormone but some cats will have signs of hyperthyroidism with normal or only slightly increased levels of thyroid hormone.
What to do if your cat’s thyroid levels are too high?
In some rare cases, the cat may have hyperthyroidism even if the levels of T4 are not elevated above normal. If this is the case with your cat and hyperthyroidism is still a probability, the vet may order more tests to confirm that thyroid levels are too high. One extra blood test may look for something called “free T4” in the blood. Helpful?
Can a cat have an overactive thyroid gland?
However, an overactive thyroid is quite common. Many older cats with overactive thyroids have actual enlargement of the gland which can be felt in the neck by your veterinarian. Other than unexplained weight loss, your cat may also become more restless, hyperactive, vocal, and extremely hungry!
Is it fatal for a cat to have hyperthyroidism?
Symptoms appear slowly, so you may not notice a problem at first but left untreated over a long period, hyperthyroidism can be fatal. Hyperthyroidism is most common in middle aged to older cats. Hyperthyroidism is over-activity in the thyroid glands.
What are the signs of thyroid problems in cats?
The most common thyroid problem in cats is hyperthyroidism and involves the overproduction or over-release of the thyroid hormone T-4 in the bloodstream. Signs are weight loss and increased appetite.
What is a normal thyroid level for a cat?
A normal cat thyroid will vary slightly based on the machine, but 1 to 4mg/dl is a typical normal thyroid range for cats on most machines.
What are the effects of untreated thyroid disease in cats?
If hyperthyroidism in cats is left untreated, it can cause serious problems and even be fatal. For instance, thyroid hormones cause the heart to beat faster and contract more strongly. Over time, this can impair the normal functioning of the heart and trigger cardiac arrest.
Does hyperthyroidism in cats lead to death?
Hyperthyroidism can be extremely dangerous in cats if left untreated. When the condition isn’t managed, it can lead to kidney failure, liver failure, heart disease and eventually death.
