Dear Lora:
The T4 is the standard value for detecting hyperthyroidism...sometimes,
however, for reasons I don't remember offhand the free T3 is run as well. Young
cats are much less prone to being HyperTh...it tends to correlate with
increasing
age and not all cats who are HyperTh have urinary problems. A rapid heart
rate and a ravenous appetite are other typical symptoms. I've had one cat so
far who was HyperTh at age 18. Her condition was managed quite well on a
minimal dose of Tapazole (I could not afford surgery or radiation treatment and
could not see putting a cat her age through sich procedures) for about a year
before renal failure and cardiomyopathy ended her life.
I don't know whether or not a parathyroid problem is detected through the
same tests. I seem to remember getting some good info about HyperThism from a
website Holisticat.com. A member of that site's talklist is VERY very
knowledgeable about interpreting blood panel results. If I can find her
eaddress in my
saved mail I will forward it on to you.
I kind of doubt that a cat as young as Dartagnan would be HyperTh, but I
suppose it is always possible. If you've already had a blood panel run and his
T4
came out normal (I seem to remember that normal is around 2-3) then his
problem is most likely something else.
I do hope you will try and have a talk with him via an animal communicator.
You've certainly tried everything else.
Sincerely, Sally in San Jose
e
