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  Discussion on Hypothyroid Confusion
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 22, 2000 - 12:30 pm:

It is very confusing now as I have read many articles stating hypothryoidism is rare. Of course +10 years ago, it was the first test to do if had horse foundered which was the case of my mare. Now is she permanently"addicted" to thyroid supplementation. I just recently tested her daughter and T4 results were dangerously low (vet's words) but have not done anything yet-I was concern with no heat cycles this summer and a possible lite foundering/or absesses from being barefoot all winter this spring (she is a easy keeper but will loose weight when worked heavily preparing for a show, and is brighteyed and spirited- worried cause of her dams's hx-she was tested as a 3yr old-T3(normal)and is now 7. Any thoughts Dr.O..Thanks...

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 23, 2000 - 9:42 am:

Hello Lee,
I think you have read the discussions but not the article, since your question is covered in detail there. Using the navigation bar above back up to Hypothyroidism in Adults and carefully review the article. If you still have questions then post them here.
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 23, 2000 - 2:20 pm:

Yes, I have read your informative article as well as others. My question is...the 15 yr old mare that has had thyroid supplementation for over 10 yrs- started mainly because of founder, lack of heats, obesity - who has foaled 4x(one weaned at 5 days cause of no milk-T4 was low so kept close monitoring on next year's pregnancy-no problem)...what should I be doing or what suggestions do you have after such long supplementation? I have had to increase the amount after each test every few months and I now question the feasibility, reliability, and intial diagnosis after reading the articles. Thank you...

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 23, 2000 - 5:15 pm:

Quiet frankly we do not have a good handle on what happens to these horses that have been on high levels of supplementation for very long times: has the thyroid been suppressed and can it recover. I think considering the length of time you have been on this I would spend longer coming off than I have recommended to others in earlier posts. I would spend a year coming off, removing 10% of the current dosage every 4 to 6 weeks, monitoring for the symptoms mentioned in the article of the experimentally induced hypothyroid adults. You will need the help of your vet and do this under their supervision. Let us know how it works out.
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