Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2
Douglas College
$19,453.00
Evaluation of diagnostic parameters for iatrogenic hypothyroidism in cats following treatment with radioactive iodine
EF 2015-16
Résumé
Hyperthyroidism (due to too much thyroid hormone) is a common disease in elderly cats that can be treated
with radioactive-iodine (RAI). Over-treatment with RAI commonly results in low thyroid hormone
concentrations however symptoms of hypothyroidism (due to insufficient thyroid hormones) are uncommon
and the clinical significance of treatment-induced hypothyroidism in cats is debated. This has resulted in a lack
of research into the diagnosis and treatment of this problem. However chronic kidney disease is more common
in cats with treatment-induced hypothyroidism and recent data shows that this adversely impacts the survival of
affected cats.
Treated hyperthyroid cats are currently monitored using total thyroxine (tT4) and other tests of thyroid function
such as free T4 (fT4) and TSH are not routinely ordered. The principal aim of this study is to compare the
available thyroid hormone analyses (tT4, fT4 and TSH) with a reference test of thyroid function (TSH
stimulation test) to refine diagnostic criteria for iatrogenic hypothyroidism.
For this study 80-120 RAI-treated hyperthyroid cats will have a baseline thyroid and kidney function analysis
and be assessed for symptoms of hypothyroidism. Subsequently, a subset of these cats including all those with
abnormal thyroid hormone results, will have a TSH stimulation test done. In Year 2 and year 3 of the study the
general health and thyroid status of cats screened in year 1 will be reviewed annually. Health status and
survival of hypothyroid RAI-treated cats will be compared to non-hypothyroid RAI-treated cats to determine
the clinical significance of this problem.
This project will provide a unique opportunity for 6-8 final year Veterinary Technician students to participate
in clinical research expanding their subsequent career opportunities. It is anticipated that the data will lead to
increased frequency and diversity of thyroid hormone testing in treated hyperthyroid cats with significant
financial benefits to veterinarians, veterinary laboratories and RAI units.
Programme
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2
Bénéficiaire
Emplacement
British Columbia, Canada
Type de bénéficiaire
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
Tel que publié
Application id
461094-2013
Name nom
Borgford, Thor
Department département
Head Office
Organization id
28119
Institution établissement
Douglas College
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2015
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
19453
Program id
CARD2
Program name en
Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2
Program name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée - niveau 2
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1561
Committee name en
Applied Research and Development Grants
Committee name fr
Subventions de recherche et développement appliquée
Area of application code
102
Area of application group en
Agriculture and primary food production
Area of application group fr
Agriculture et produits alimentaires primaires
Area of application en
Animal management (animal diseases, breeding)
Area of application fr
Gestion des animaux (maladies animales, reproduction)
Research subject code
5512
Research subject group en
Animal biology
Research subject group fr
Biologie animale
Research subject en
Veterinary sciences
Research subject fr
Médecine vétérinaire
Partie
2
Nb partie
3
Application title
Evaluation of diagnostic parameters for iatrogenic hypothyroidism in cats following treatment with radioactive iodine
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Hyperthyroidism (due to too much thyroid hormone) is a common disease in elderly cats that can be treated
with radioactive-iodine (RAI). Over-treatment with RAI commonly results in low thyroid hormone
concentrations however symptoms of hypothyroidism (due to insufficient thyroid hormones) are uncommon
and the clinical significance of treatment-induced hypothyroidism in cats is debated. This has resulted in a lack
of research into the diagnosis and treatment of this problem. However chronic kidney disease is more common
in cats with treatment-induced hypothyroidism and recent data shows that this adversely impacts the survival of
affected cats.
Treated hyperthyroid cats are currently monitored using total thyroxine (tT4) and other tests of thyroid function
such as free T4 (fT4) and TSH are not routinely ordered. The principal aim of this study is to compare the
available thyroid hormone analyses (tT4, fT4 and TSH) with a reference test of thyroid function (TSH
stimulation test) to refine diagnostic criteria for iatrogenic hypothyroidism.
For this study 80-120 RAI-treated hyperthyroid cats will have a baseline thyroid and kidney function analysis
and be assessed for symptoms of hypothyroidism. Subsequently, a subset of these cats including all those with
abnormal thyroid hormone results, will have a TSH stimulation test done. In Year 2 and year 3 of the study the
general health and thyroid status of cats screened in year 1 will be reviewed annually. Health status and
survival of hypothyroid RAI-treated cats will be compared to non-hypothyroid RAI-treated cats to determine
the clinical significance of this problem.
This project will provide a unique opportunity for 6-8 final year Veterinary Technician students to participate
in clinical research expanding their subsequent career opportunities. It is anticipated that the data will lead to
increased frequency and diversity of thyroid hormone testing in treated hyperthyroid cats with significant
financial benefits to veterinarians, veterinary laboratories and RAI units.
