Dr. Dodds has always been available to those with questions about hypothyroidism, blood and immune disorders, and nutrition. The mechanism is unknown, but may relate to the vital role of thyroid hormones in cellular metabolism of the central nervous system. In some cases the seizures are related to thyroid dysfunction and when placed on appropriate thyroid medication the seizures may no longer occur or are reduced in severity or frequency. There are more than 50 different symptoms of hypothyroidism. This condition can mimic other disorders.
Seizures can be a symptom of thyroid imbalance, which warrants performing a full thyroid panel.
Thyroid dysfunction in dogs is nearly always caused by low levels of thyroid hormones. As the thyroid gland controls all metabolic functions, symptoms of hypothyroidism are many and can mimic a variety of other conditions. Affected dogs can show only one, or several or even many classical symptoms, which begin in subtle ways and then usually progress to more obvious signs as the disease process that destroys thyroid tissue becomes more advanced. This can take months to years. Occasionally symptoms disappear without treatment and the gland recovers.