Comparison of colloid, thyroid follicular epithelium, and thyroid hormone concentrations in healthy and severely sick dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare serum concentrations of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as measures of thyroid follicular colloid and epithelium, between groups of healthy dogs and severely sick dogs.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
61 healthy dogs and 66 severely sick dogs.


METHODS
Serum samples were obtained before euthanasia, and both thyroid lobes were removed immediately after euthanasia. Morphometric analyses were performed on each lobe, and serum TT4, fT4, and TSH concentrations were measured.


RESULTS
In the sick group, serum TT4 and fT4 concentrations were less than reference range values in 39 (59%) and 21 (32%) dogs, respectively; only 5 (8%) dogs had high TSH concentrations. Mean serum TT4 and fT4 concentrations were significantly lower in the sick group, compared with the healthy group. In the healthy group, a significant negative correlation was found between volume percentage of colloid and TT4 or fT4 concentrations, and a significant positive correlation was found between volume percentage of follicular epithelium and TT4 or fT4 concentrations. A significant negative correlation was observed between volume percentages of colloid and follicular epithelium in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
TT4 and fT4 concentrations are frequently less than reference range values in severely sick dogs. Therefore, thyroid status should not be evaluated during severe illness. The absence of any significant differences in mean volume percentages of follicular epithelium between healthy and severely sick dogs suggests that these 2 groups had similar potential for synthesizing and secreting thyroid hormones.
Torres
Sheila M F
SM
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Feeney
Daniel A
DA
Lekcharoensuk
Chalermpol
C
Fletcher
Thomas F
TF
Clarkson
Christina E
CE
Nash
Nardina L
NL
Hayden
David W
DW
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003102:Colloids / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
D003102:Colloids; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine