What test should I do?

Previously in Australia, there were only 2 tests widely available to determine a Thyroid problem. The Free T4 blood test is usually the first test to be done and if this is low, your Vet will normally do a TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) assay. Whilst this is suitable for diagnosing that there is in fact a thyroid problem, it does not tell you whether or not it is hereditary.

I am pleased to announce that we now have another blood test available called the TgAA (Thyroglobulin Autoantibody) test. This test has only just arrived in Australia. After numerous emails and conversations with Richard Miller at Idexx Laboratories in Melbourne, they kindly agreed to bring the test kits to Australia. If these antibodies are present in the blood, it indicates Auto-immune Thyroiditis which has been proven to be hereditary. It is recommended that tests should be carried out at ages 1, 2, 3 & 4 then every 2 years after that. It is accepted by specialists in the field that if the antibodies are not present by age 4, your dog is unlikely to develop them later in life.

If your dog does have these antibodies before age 4, it is likely to go on and develop the disease. Some specialists believe that animals that are treated when the antibodies first appear, even without exhibiting symptoms of Hypothyroidism, will not develop the disease and that upon re-testing after treatment, no longer have the antibodies in their system. These dogs however, should not be used for breeding as the condition is hereditary, so the genes for the Thyroglobulin autoantibody production may still be passed on to the offspring.

This is a very valuable tool for breeders and I hope that many will take advantage of my persistence and dedication to finally have this test available here. Please keep in mind that your dog may develop a thyroid problem that is not genetic and therefore this test will not determine that so you still need to test the Free T4 level on a regular basis.

In summary you should test the following:

1. TgAA test (annually until age 4, then every other year)
2. Free T4 levels (annually)
3. TSH Assay (if Free T4 is low)

Currently Idexx Laboratories are the only lab that does this test in Australia. You will need to ask your vet if they are able to send the blood test to Idexx and if not, you may need to have them done at another vet. I have spoken to my vet who normally uses Gribbles Pathology and he said it was easy to send it to Idexx. The vet just needs to call Idexx to arrange collection of the blood.

In America...