Dear all
I have been treating a 1 4 y old jack Russell for 3 years. She presented with left hind weakness and mild neuro signs. There was a history of spondylosis osteoarthritis. At time of referral no disc narrowing was seen by first line vet. I pinpointed it down to nerve root impignement and with gentle mobilisations (adjustments) / traction/ acupuncture/ herbal meds the pain subsided. She was seen for monthly check ups for over 18 months and has remained on a spinal herbal maintenance formulation. A few months she presented with new neuro signs left hind. Placing reflex very poor but deep pain and withdrawal good. She would squat happily to urinate and hold. I did not detect any focal pain so I was abit worried about her. The first line vet re xrayed her and the spine actually looks better than two years ago. There was again no obvious disc narrowing. She was in good health otherwise but routine bloods showed hypothyroidism. Treatment was started and I treated her weekly for a few weeks. The neuro signs have completely settled. However over the last two weeks there has been a marked clicking when manipulating the spine. This was initially only palpable/audible to me but now the owner notices it when she walks. With the increased clicking of the TL spine there is also now a progressive weakness. Gentle palpation of the facetjoints and lumbar spine causes her to sit down and she seems generally more sensitive on spinal manipulation. This is a whole new presentation for her so I am a bit baffled because the neuro signs are still much better than few months ago
The only thing that has recently changed is an increase in her thyroid meds. Could this have led to a loss of tone in soft tissue structure? Has anyone had complications like this with a hypothyroid case that was started on meds?
Any suggestions welcome
vee
Hypothyroidism
Re: Hypothyroidism
My experience with this is anecdotal, but I have had several "neuro" patients with low T4's respond well to levothyroxine supplementation in terms of neuro symptom resolution. I wonder if this dog now feels better on supplementation and is therefore more active and is using muscles that haven't been exercised in a while. If it is that simple it seems like it should resolve in a couple of weeks with some gentle care....
Re: Hypothyroidism
I like the proposed theory below as well. I also found this on PubMed:Send to
Endokrynol Pol. 2016;67(4):359-66. doi: 10.5603/EP.a2016.0025. Epub 2016 Feb 17.
Treatment of severe thyroid function disorders and changes in body composition.
Stangierski A, Ruchała M1, Krauze T, Moczko J, Guzik P.
Author information
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Hyper- and hypothyroidism are accompanied by altered metabolic rate, thermogenesis, and body weight. The aim of this study was to estimate the relation between treatment-induced changes in thyroid function, and the accompanying body composition in patients with either severe hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Body composition analysis and hormonal assessment were measured at the initial diagnosis of thyroid disorder, after three-month treatment, and finally after complete recovery from hyperthyroidism (n = 18) or hypothyroidism (n = 27). Nonparametric Spearman correlation was used to analyse the relation between thyroid hormones and body composition as well as their respective changes.
RESULTS:
In hypothyroid patients applied treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) total body weight, mainly due to a decrease in fat mass, whereas in hyperthyroid patients it caused a weight gain, with a simultaneous increase in muscle, water and fat mass. Total body weight and fat mass were significantly correlated with thyroid hormones' concentrations in all patients. Changes of fat, water, or muscle mass were strongly correlated with the changes in the patients' hormonal status.
CONCLUSIONS:
Body composition is related to the concentration of thyroid hormones in thyroid dysfunction. Treatment-induced changes in thyroid hormones concentrations are correlated with the magnitude of the change of body weight, including muscle, water, and fat amount. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (4): 359-366).
Endokrynol Pol. 2016;67(4):359-66. doi: 10.5603/EP.a2016.0025. Epub 2016 Feb 17.
Treatment of severe thyroid function disorders and changes in body composition.
Stangierski A, Ruchała M1, Krauze T, Moczko J, Guzik P.
Author information
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Hyper- and hypothyroidism are accompanied by altered metabolic rate, thermogenesis, and body weight. The aim of this study was to estimate the relation between treatment-induced changes in thyroid function, and the accompanying body composition in patients with either severe hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Body composition analysis and hormonal assessment were measured at the initial diagnosis of thyroid disorder, after three-month treatment, and finally after complete recovery from hyperthyroidism (n = 18) or hypothyroidism (n = 27). Nonparametric Spearman correlation was used to analyse the relation between thyroid hormones and body composition as well as their respective changes.
RESULTS:
In hypothyroid patients applied treatment significantly reduced (p < 0.05) total body weight, mainly due to a decrease in fat mass, whereas in hyperthyroid patients it caused a weight gain, with a simultaneous increase in muscle, water and fat mass. Total body weight and fat mass were significantly correlated with thyroid hormones' concentrations in all patients. Changes of fat, water, or muscle mass were strongly correlated with the changes in the patients' hormonal status.
CONCLUSIONS:
Body composition is related to the concentration of thyroid hormones in thyroid dysfunction. Treatment-induced changes in thyroid hormones concentrations are correlated with the magnitude of the change of body weight, including muscle, water, and fat amount. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (4): 359-366).
LAURIE EDGE-HUGHES