Blood Test For Hyperthyroidism In Cats

Thyroid hormone levels can vary over time so it may be necessary to check blood levels several times or perform a different test called a t3 suppression test.

Blood test for hyperthyroidism in cats.

Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone. T3 suppression test for cats diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism can usually be accomplished by measuring t3 t4 and or free t4 in a single baseline blood sample. T3 suppression test for cats whose t3 and t4 results are within normal parameters but the cat appears to be clinically hyperthyroid. Both blood samples evaluated at a specialist.

The most reliable test veterinarians utilize to diagnose hyperthyroidism in cats is by doing a simple blood test. Most cats will have a significantly elevated t4 level 2. Hyperthyroid cats may have normal findings on the cbc and urinalysis but the chemistry panel often shows elevation of several liver enzymes. Thyroxine t4 is usually monitored in cats as they get older.

In cats with borderline or high normal t4 levels a free t4 test may be done to confirm the disease. A baseline blood sample is taken followed by oral administration of liothyronine a synthetic form of t3 for seven doses followed by another blood sample. If thyroid disease is a possibility your veterinarian will likely order a blood chemistry panel and an analysis of thyroid hormone levels. It is important to keep in mind that sometimes these tests can be wrong.

In roughly two to ten percent of cats with hyperthyroidism. In the vast majority of cases a definitive diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is based on a simple blood test that shows elevated t 4 levels in the bloodstream. The t3 suppression test is used for diagnosing hyperthyroidism in cats that have normal t3 t4 and or free t4 concentrations but appear clinically hyperthyroid. High levels indicate hyperthyroidism in cats.

Your vet will perform a blood test that measures the levels of thyroid hormones in your cat s blood. A high t4 might indicate the development of hyperthyroidism a commonly diagnosed condition in cats high thyroid levels can cause a myriad of different signs in cats including increased appetite weight loss eating non food items or wanting more human food and increased vomiting. Often the blood test will show the elevated levels of levothyroxine or t 4 in the bloodstream. 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.

Blood urea nitrogen. If the levels of those hormones are high your cat is hyperthyroid.