Please note that you can expect a negative TgAA once the thyroid gland has been totally destroyed and auto-antibodies to the gland no longer circulate in the bloodstream. Free T4 by dialysis is the preferred test for T4. In addition to the thyroid tests, a complete blood count, a chemistry panel and a urinalysis should be performed in order to rule out presence of other disease processes. Daily lifelong administration of an oral synthetic thyroid hormone. Prognosis for disappearance of clinical signs with treatment is excellent.
Hypothyroidism is a genetic disease and is thought to be an autosomal recessive disorder.
Because clinical signs may not appear until well after a dog is used in a breeding program, it is essential to test for hypothyroidism before a dog is bred. Clinical signs are present, but test results are normal, wait to breed and repeat tests in 2-6 months. No clinical signs are apparent, but test results are abnormal, wait to breed and repeat tests in 2-6 months. Clinical signs are present and test results are abnormal, begin treatment and exclude the dog from your breeding program. The future holds the promise of a blood test which could detect the gene responsible for hypothyroidism A genetic marker test could be easily performed to allow breeders to know if their dogs are normal, affected or carriers.