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Clinical Trial
. 2012 Apr;14(4):262-6.
doi: 10.1177/1098612X11435893. Epub 2012 Jan 16.

Adrenal function in cats with hyperthyroidism

Sabine Ramspott  1 , Katrin Hartmann, Carola Sauter-Louis, Karin Weber, Astrid Wehner
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Adrenal function in cats with hyperthyroidism

Sabine Ramspott et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Adrenal function may be altered in animals with hyperthyroidism. The aim of the study was to assess adrenal function of hyperthyroid cats (n = 17) compared to healthy cats (n = 18) and cats with chronic diseases (n = 18). Adrenal function was evaluated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test and the urinary cortisol to creatinine ratio (UCCR) was determined. Length and width of both adrenal glands were measured via ultrasound. Hyperthyroid cats had significantly higher cortisol levels before and after stimulation with ACTH than the other groups. However, the UCCR was not elevated in hyperthyroid cats. The size of the adrenal glands of hyperthyroid cats was not significantly different from the size of those of healthy cats. The results indicate that cats with hyperthyroidism have a higher cortisol secretory capacity in a hospital setting. The normal size of the adrenal glands suggests that cortisol levels may not be increased permanently.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors do not have any potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Blood cortisol levels (nmol/l) prior to and 60 min after application of tetracosactide in hyperthyroid, chronically ill and healthy cats
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between total T4 (µg/dl) and baseline cortisol concentration (nmol/l) in hyperthyroid, chronically ill and healthy cats
Figure 3
Figure 3
Width of both adrenal glands (cm) in hyperthyroid, chronically ill and healthy cats
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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