my dog has under active thyroid, can diet help?

Question

Would a change in diet help her condition, she gets very tired

Answer 1

diet could change all sorts of problems but you need to ask your vet this no one on here is an expert and you don't want to hurt your dog because of someones stupid advice, even if you ring an ask some one on reception they might be able to help and if not ask her to ask the vet to ring you back this way his advice will be free

Answer 2

I suffered 5 years for hypothyroid and I definetly cure my disease with this natural treatment http://treatment-hypothyroidism.keysolve.net

Two things you want to consider as problems: Toxicity and Autoimmunity (or both)

#1 Toxicity. You mentioned black lines in your gums. This is a classic presentation for lead toxicity. This would also explain problems with finger nails (though a thyroid problem would do the same. Many think exposure is limited to paint used before 1978, but lead is still being used in many different things (just look at all the toy recall...very sad).
This can be diagnosed by blood, hair and/or stool analysis.

#2. Autoimmune means that your body's immune system is attacking itself, in your case the thyroid gland.
It does this by recognizing certain protein strands and tagging it with antibodies. Then your body sends out it seek and destroy immune mediators to kill off the tagged protein structures. Usually this is how your body defends itself from viruses, bacteria, fungi, ect. There is a problem with your tagging system that has caused your body to attack itself. This is usually diagnosed by testing for antibodies in blood work, as well as clinical symptoms.

How does this happen? There is no one pin pointed cause. The most popular reason is because of some break down in your filtering system. You normally keep bad things out through things like your skin, gut lining etc. If there is a problem with your gut, things get through that shouldn't, your body recognizes it as foreign, tags it and destroys it. Sometimes the protein structures of the things that get through look like the protein structures that make up certain cells in your body. That is why you see some of the other post saying that this autoimmune disorder is related to other autoimmune disorders (diabetes, lupus, RA, etc). It is really a problem with your filter, not your thyroid (or at least primarily the problem). Treating the thyroid might help somewhat, but it will not address the problem (in my example, the gut lining (filter) being disrupted).

Answer 3

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits low on the front of the neck. Your thyroid lies below your Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe. The thyroid has two side lobes, connected by a bridge (isthmus) in the middle. When the thyroid is its normal size, you’re unlikely to be able to feel it.
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can develop in several ways.
Thyroid hormone production can be suppressed or halted completely in these ways: https://tr.im/eN96l

Answer 4

Underactive Thyroid Disease in Dogs




Hypothyroidism is the medical term to describe the inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient amounts of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones are responsible for driving the metabolic rate of most of your organ systems. The lack of these hormones causes a big decrease in your body's metabolism. This means the whole system slows down. This gives rise to a variety of clinical signs. For example, heart rate slows, mental function becomes depressed, and often body temperature decreases slightly. Common causes of hypothyroidism include inflammation (thyroiditis), progressive failure (atrophy) and tumors (neoplasia).

Hypothyroidism is the number one endocrine disease affecting dogs. Although it can occur in any dog, breeds most commonly affected include schnauzers, Scottish terriers, dachshunds, Doberman pinschers, golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers. The condition is quite rare in cats.

Dogs suffering from hypothyroidism show a variety of clinical signs and vague symptoms. The most common signs include cold intolerance, lethargy, weight gain, and a variety of skin disorders. Dermal abnormalities such as hair loss, changes in coat color or quality, scaling and a predisposition to skin infections (pyodermas) are also noted. In fact the two most common reasons for recurring skin infections are hypothyroidism and allergies. Every chronically itchy dog should have a thyroid profile at least once before embarking on expensive allergy tests and treatment. Less frequently one might notice changes in mental awareness and reproductive failure.

Your veterinarian can test your dog's thyroid function with a simple blood test. This test measures the levels of active thyroid hormones being produced. If the concentrations are low, other tests may be needed to determine if the low levels are due to primary hypothyroidism or from the effect of other diseases or medications. In some cases a trial regimen of thyroid supplementation and observation of response may be needed to confirm the diagnose.

Luckily, hypothyroidism is an easily treated disease. Medication given once or twice daily often leads to resolution of most clinical signs. Usually treatment is for life.

Symptoms of overdosing are rapid weight loss, increased urination, increased drinking and nervousness. If any of these signs occur, you should call your veterinarian immediately. Usually your veterinarian will make an adjustment in the dose.

Resolution of symptoms may take several weeks. Usually within one to two weeks there will be an increase in activity. Skin disorders take longer. After two to three weeks it may look worse, as the old coat is shed. The skin takes about three months for a complete response and turnover. Mental awareness and reproductive disorders may take several months to bring about a complete resolution of the problems.

Every dog is individual, and the supplementation dose must be tailored. Four to eight weeks after starting hormone therapy a "post pill" T4 test is taken. This blood sample is drawn after an overnight fast, and then four to six hours after the supplement is given. Results should be in the normal range. If not, the dose can be adjusted in order to supply enough but not too much supplement. After adequate regulation is achieved, it is usually necessary to recheck the "post pill T4 test" every six months.

Answer 5

my cat has the opposite, so he gets really skinny, and the squits, but there is medicine for him so the vet should be able to somethin for your dog

Answer 6

yes but we need more info like how old is she