Thyroid testing and length of time before processing

[LilF]

Blossom, F-OSS, is around 7 years old. Since I got her she has been a slow walker, people ask me why she walks like such an old dog, and sometimes puffs while walking, Takes about 45-50 min to walk .8 mi. She had her thyroid tested in 4/2023 by IDEXX. Then: Total T3 was .6 Free T4 was 24 TSH was .36
On July 2nd this year I had a full blood workup and sent her blood for thyroid testing to MSU. So it was drawn on July2nd and see it was not received by them till July 7th and it was tested the 8th. When I sent blood to Dr. Dodds she insisted on 2 day delivery. So I am questioning how the current results can be valid or should they be questioned. The do now suggest Thyroid dose of .7 but this is a lifetime decision and it seems wrong that in extremely hot weather and the length of time, the blood may have been degraded to make a lifetime decision. She has gained weight but again, she doesn't walk much as it takes so long and it isn't really exercise anyway.
Her results were:
Total T4 =6 (9-52) range
Total T3= .3 (.5-1.4)
Free T4= 8 (6-42)
TSH= 2.14 (0-.58)

Is she even low enough or can it be standard error of measurement?

I feed her quite a bit of cruciferous vegetables in the way of broccoli sprouts and cabbage, because she still has her estrogen. Can this cause her thyroid to be lowered or is this just an older myth that used to go around. Also she was just starting her estrus cycle when her blood was drawn. I thought certain things like vaccines etc should be avoided during that time so did her estrogen lower her levels. Estrogen interferes with thyroid hormone I thought at least in people. Would her thyroid be lower when she is releasing estrogen?

This idea of sparing their hormones has not panned out per the hype....oh don't worry, they don't have to take thyroid, oh don't worry they don't tear their cruciate ligament--she did that too!! What's next on the oh don't worry after spending a fortune to let her keep her hormones. Something to think about. So I am not happy with certain vets (not here) on the web who espouse this as the greatest thing for your dog healthwise. This dog has had more concerns and testing at her age than all my other 5 dogs put together by the age of 7--Blossom's age.

So I do plan to question the delay in processing and arrival as to reliability of the results. I am not putting her on anything yet until I have some assurance she needs it. Thank you for your thoughts







The decision rhetoric about letting a dog keep her hormones, i.e. keep them intact or ovary sparing spay

 

[Dr. Jeff]

When I sent blood to Dr. Dodds she insisted on 2 day delivery.

Yes, you may want to repeat the results at Hemopet before starting a lifetime of thyroid replacement.

Tho if the results are similar, I bet Jean Dodds will advise a thyroid hormone trial.

Now might also be a good time to start working with a different homeopath.

 

[LilF]

Yes, you may want to repeat the results at Hemopet before starting a lifetime of thyroid replacement.

Tho if the results are similar, I bet Jean Dodds will advise a thyroid hormone trial.

Now might also be a good time to start working with a different homeopath.

Dr.Jeff, my intuition wonders so where was the blood for 5 days before it got to MSU, I plan to email them today and ask if they have tracking info. Blossom had her thyroid done at IDEXX in 2023. Is there an opinion on their lab for thyroid. I USED to send my deceased dogs blood to Jean Dodds but don't want to "offend" anyone, i.e. newer vet to suggest I may know something he doesn't. Also in the past I would go home and wait for the vet then to prepare the blood and now since this place is an hour away, I will have to wait---I thought it took a couple hours to prepare. Well I will do what I have to do. The diagnosis seems to fit but she is how she was when the test was normal, that is the piece that makes me want to retest.MSU would cost me a lot of money versus Hemopet. I saw a video of Dr. Dodds and she said their norms are breed based and do not use isotopes which I do not know what that means but I guess it is better.
I am going to set up a consult with my new vet who seems to see things with different eyes, He actually told me that he doesn't care people criticize him that the pet is his priority. He told me he used Thuja on a dog with hemangiosarcoma, German Shepherd and the bleeding tumor was nothing but a skeleton on imaging and the dog lived another few years. WOW, where was he when my Gabby had it. I have had 4 homeopaths, as you know, not cheap. I was told by someone I respect Dr.Wil--you know who I mean, that I was in good hands with my current homeopath but I see no change in anything. The homeo told me her skin tag would fall off---how long would it take. I had the Dr. freeze it off 2 weeks ago and now it is gone. maybe I could work with you but some of the other ones that came recommended here--4 of them-- did not work out i.e. no change in anything at all.

So if I suggest to the vet who did her blood work to use Hemopet is he going to be insulted. That is what vets do not like about me--when I know something or have a point---but I cannot just shake my head up and down in agreement with thiings when I believe something is amiss.
So i am gong to email the hospital that did it and ask the uncomfortable question, where was Blossom's blood. Funny how my dogs well being throug the years has taught me to stand up medically not only for them but as a result for my own self as well.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

So if I suggest to the vet who did her blood work to use Hemopet is he going to be insulted.

Idexx is fine. Especially since the previous test was done there, and the turnaround is fast (no relying on the USPS

where was Blossom's blood.

"In transit."

 

[NancyK]

The fact that "quite a bit" of cruciferous vegetables are being fed is concerning since cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens which interfere with iodine uptake. Are they at least cooked? Even so, they will still contain goitrogens. I know someone who was on thyroid meds for many years and managed to get off of them. One thing she did was remove cruciferous vegetables from the diet.

Nancy

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Um, has everyone *met* our US Postal Service? The mail has gotten slower and slower the last few years (the uppy-ups have made some very questionable and unfortunate changes).

That is a very important point about cruciferous vegetables. I love 'em, but being hypothyroid myself, I've been told to avoid them. (I don't, lol) But if there *is* a borderline thyroid issue, this could be making a difference. While it's still summer, maybe concentrate on things like zucchini and greens and cut back on the crucifers.

 

[LilF]

Um, has everyone *met* our US Postal Service? The mail has gotten slower and slower the last few years (the uppy-ups have made some very questionable and unfortunate changes).

That is a very important point about cruciferous vegetables. I love 'em, but being hypothyroid myself, I've been told to avoid them. (I don't, lol) But if there *is* a borderline thyroid issue, this could be making a difference. While it's still summer, maybe concentrate on things like zucchini and greens and cut back on the crucifers.

 

[LilF]

Oh dear! I thought the broccoli sprouts were good for detoxing any bad estrogen of hers.... Dr. Dodds mentioned to lightly steam but how do you steam sprouts without ruining their essence. She does get fresh zucchini, cukes from the organic local farmers market now in season. She is very hypothyroid at TSH 2.4 so probably won't normalize the thyroid but will cut out the raw red cabbage and sprouts anyway. Will do a trial of thyroid and see if it helps. She has never had much zippity do da for daily walks but was better if I drove her someplace to go walking. I had heard this for years about cruciferous vegetables and then heard it was debunked. I guess I should cut down as well but thought it was failsafe cancer prevention.

 

[LilF]

The fact that "quite a bit" of cruciferous vegetables are being fed is concerning since cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens which interfere with iodine uptake. Are they at least cooked? Even so, they will still contain goitrogens. I know someone who was on thyroid meds for many years and managed to get off of them. One thing she did was remove cruciferous vegetables from the diet.

Nancy

I'm pretty sure she had some cabbage the day before her blood test too because I kinda paused and thought about this idea of suppressing the thyroid but then as I said I thought the "myth" was debunked...Good to hear a success story... cannot argue with that kind of "data"

 

[NancyK]

I'm pretty sure she had some cabbage the day before her blood test too because I kinda paused and thought about this idea of suppressing the thyroid but then as I said I thought the "myth" was debunked...Good to hear a success story... cannot argue with that kind of "data"

The main problem with goitrogens is that they prevent the thyroid from utilizing iodine which is something the thyroid needs to be healthy. So I believe it is more of an issue that occurs over time.

Another thought I had as far as helping the thyroid. I wonder if occasional feeding of a thyroid glandular could help boost it naturally. In nature, when animals consume whole prey they would be getting a bit of thyroid. The Pet Health and Nutrition Center sells a thyroid glandular. They also have a multi glandular blend that contains many organs, including thyroid. I have been using this glandular blend occasionally as it contains some organs I cannot source.

Nancy

 

[LilF]

The main problem with goitrogens is that they prevent the thyroid from utilizing iodine which is something the thyroid needs to be healthy. So I believe it is more of an issue that occurs over time.

Another thought I had as far as helping the thyroid. I wonder if occasional feeding of a thyroid glandular could help boost it naturally. In nature, when animals consume whole prey they would be getting a bit of thyroid. The Pet Health and Nutrition Center sells a thyroid glandular. They also have a multi glandular blend that contains many organs, including thyroid. I have been using this glandular blend occasionally as it contains some organs I cannot source.

Nancy

Hi Nancy, I bookmarked the page and will check out the glandular. I do feed her organs occasionally like chicken gizzards, beef liver, beef heart and do not know if those have any iodine content. I also give her Dr. Becker's Spirulina but don't know if that has iodine. Problem is I don't know the nutrient profile of these things. I think in the past I used standard process had something for the thyroid but don't like their products because you never know what exactly is in there. Like her vitamin Catalyn. I have NO idea what they cover. It is so hard to balance everything. Maybe goitrogens in excess are ill advised but a reasonable amount occasionally is ok? I do not know

 

[NancyK]

Hi Nancy, I bookmarked the page and will check out the glandular. I do feed her organs occasionally like chicken gizzards, beef liver, beef heart and do not know if those have any iodine content. I also give her Dr. Becker's Spirulina but don't know if that has iodine. Problem is I don't know the nutrient profile of these things. I think in the past I used standard process had something for the thyroid but don't like their products because you never know what exactly is in there. Like her vitamin Catalyn. I have NO idea what they cover. It is so hard to balance everything. Maybe goitrogens in excess are ill advised but a reasonable amount occasionally is ok? I do not know

Beef liver, eggs and fish contain iodine. The cruciferous vegetables will prevent iodine uptake. Cooking will help to minimize the goitrogens. As far as whether cruciferous vegetables can be fed occasionally, that may be okay. Most problems arise from over doing. However, many of us have sensitivities that others do not have. So for these individuals, it may be best to avoid them altogether. Plants unfortunately contain antinutrients and we all differ in our abilities to handle them. For some they are not a problem. For others they are. I personally cannot eat cruciferous vegetables because they trigger my IBS.

My understanding is that feeding thyroid glandular will provide the hormones that the thyroid has, not necessarily provide iodine. This must not be overdone either.

I do not care for most Standard Process supplements either because most of them contain tons of different ingredients. I prefer to minimize supplements, and if necessary use those that are targeted vs those that contain everything but the kitchen sink. I am sure this is an unpopular opinion but that is how I feel.

Typically anything in moderation is not harmful, but for certain individuals this may not be true. Is there some particular reason why you feel that feeding cruciferous veggies is necessary? Is there another way to achieve these benefits?

Nancy

 

[LilF]

Just one more thing.... I take Broccoli Sprout powder capsules but I suppose those would be out for her too, right. They contain sulforophane but have the goitrogens been removed in a supplement like that??? It is just such a great antioxidant etc.. but then again maybe supplements are SUPER concentrated. To add to the standard process products, i do not give her their vitamin anymore. I have been using the Dr. Dobias vitamin and mineral one

 

[Dr. Jeff]

failsafe cancer prevention.

Ah, I wish there were a failsafe.

Fucoidans are a naturally occurring cancer fighter. @Dr. Jean Hofve, what do you think about a supplement like this for Lil:

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