Code Test Description * Indicates send out test   T490 T3 Suppression Test   Specimen 1 ml serum per tube, label pre and post   Method RIA   Schedule 1–3 working days   Indication Evaluation of cats for occult hyperthyroidism.   Interpretive   Guidelines The T3 suppression concentration should increase in all tested cats, indicating that the client successfully administered the T3. Hyperthyroid cats have post-pill T4 concentrations >2 ug/dl. Normal cats have post-pill T4 concentrations <1.5 ug/dl. Post-pill T4 concentrations between 1.5 and 2.0 ug/dl are equivocal.   Protocol Obtain serum for T3 and T4 concentrations Administer T3 orally using 25 ug tablets. Give 1 tablet 3x daily for 2 days. On the morning of the third day, administer a final dose of T3 (7 doses total). Obtain serum, 2 to 4 hours after the last dose of T3, for measurement of T3 and T4 concentrations.   Comments This test includes T4 and T3 levels measured on pre and post samples.   T495 T4   Specimen 1 ml serum   Method RIA   Schedule Daily   Indication Evaluation of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.   Interpretive   Guidelines A mid or high-normal T4 concentration in dogs tends to rule out a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Low T4 concentrations can occur due to hypothyroidism, non-thyroidal illness or drug administration. High or high-normal T4 concentrations in dogs not receiving thyroid supplementation may be spurious due to circulating T4 autoantibodies. An elevated T4 concentration in a cat is indicative of hyperthyroidism. Cats with mild hyperthyroidism of hyperthyroidism with conurrent illness may have high-normal T4 concentrations.   Comments For monitoring thyroid replacement therayp collect sample 4 to 6 hours post pill. For monitoring tapazole therapy in cats with hyperthyroidism collect sample anytime within 24 hours of medication.   T500 T4 Autoantibody   Specimen 1 ml serum   Method RIA   Schedule 1–4 working days   Indication Investigation of Autoimmune Thyroiditis.   Interpretive   Guidelines An increased T4 autoantibody test suggests the presence of Autoimmune Thyroiditis.   Comments the T4 autoantibody test is a less sensitive marker for Autoimmune Thyroiditis than the Thyroglobulin autoantibody test.   * S16755 Taurine   Specimen 1 GT (cold) or 1 ml heparinized plasma separated immediately   Method HPLC   Schedule 10–14 working days   Indication Investigate taurine deficiency as a cause of dilatative cardiomyopathy or blindness.   Comments Sample should be kept cold and sent on ice packs.   * S16760 Testosterone   Specimen 1 ml serum   Method RIA   Schedule 3–5 working days   Indication Evaluation for retained testicular tissue.   Protocol Although the presence of testicular tissue in males can be detected by finding elevated testosterone in a single sample, provocative testing may be required. administer 44 IU/kg (dogs and cats) of HCG, IM, and measure a 2 to 4 hour-post testosterone concentration. Please send comments to the webmaster. ©1997-2008 Antech Diagnostics, Inc. Site design and maintenance by amesDesign.