EXPERIMENT 7

IATROGENIC
HYPERTHYROIDISM:
ITS EFFECT ON VARIOUS
BODY SYSTEMS AND
METABOLISM
Albao. Caracas. Edquiban. Gatlabayan.
Revilleza

INTRODUCTION
The body has two thyroid hormones:
T3- triiodothyronine
T4- thyroxine
They are produced by the thyroid gland in response to the
stimulation by the pituitary gland
Excessive secretions of these hormones cause a disease called
HYPERTHYROIDSM

HYPERTHYROIDISM
Produces an exaggerated increase in the animals metabolic rate
common signs:
weight loss
increased appetite
hyperexcitability
Polydipsia/ polyuria
Common in CATS; less common in DOGS

GI signs:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased fecal volume

Cardiovascular signs:
Tachycardia
Systolic murmurs
Dyspnea

IATROGENIC HYPERTHYROIDISM
most common cause of hyperthyroidism in dogs
excessive intake of exogenous thyroid hormones
chronic administration of too-high a dose of L-thyroxine (L-T4) for
treatment of hypothyroidism (1,3-5)
CLINICAL SIGNS:
agitation
panting

tachypnea
tachycardia

METHODOLOGY
Materials
- thyroxine (eltroxine)
- 4 adult mice (same sex and weight)
- diethylether
- gavage needle
- distilled water
- weighing scale
- 1 mL syringe
- dissecting instrument

METHODOLOGY
PRIOR TO EXPERIMENT
Record:

1.Food intake
2.Water intake
3.Body weight

Urine parameters
4. Specific gravity
5 glucose
6. pH
7. protein

C
D

METHODOLOGY
A
B

No treatment

12.5 mcg

Administered daily for 14 days

C
D

25
mcg
50

Administration of Treatment Hormone

METHODOLOGY
RECORDING OF DATA

Daily
1. Food intake
2. Water intake

3. Characteristic of hair coat

4. Behavior
5. Nature of fecal material

Weekly
6. Body weight

METHODOLOGY
END OF EXPERIMENT

1. Record
Urine parameters

Specific gravity

glucose

pH

protein

2. Sacrifice mice
3. Weigh

B
C

Inguinal tissue
Epididymal tissue
Retroperitoneal tissue

RESULTS
Table 1. Effect of Hyperthyroidism on
body weight (g)
Treatm Animal Animal Animal Animal
ent
A
B (12.5 C (25
D (50
Days (Contro mcg)
mcg)
mcg)
l)
Day 0
Lean
Lean
Lean
Lean
Day 7

Lean

Lean

Thin

Thin

Day 14

Lean

Thin

Thin

Thin

DISCUSSION
Effect on Body Weight
increase catabolism of structural body proteins & greater lipid
metabolism

increase in BMR: hyperthyroidism - by 60-100% metabolism in

almost all cells
loss of body weight

RESULTS
Table 2. Effect of hyperthyroidism on food intake (g).
Treatme
nt Days
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Animal A Animal B Animal C Animal D

(Control)
(12.5
(25 mcg) (50 mcg)
mcg)
5.0
3.0
2.9
4.0
5.2
3.0
2.8
5.0
4.9
3.0
3.2
8.0
4.6
3.0
3.7
11.0
5.0
3.0
4.6
12.0
5.1
3.0
5.1
15.0
5.6
2.5
4.8

4.8
3.0
4.9

5.3
2.5
5.3

5.2
3.0
6.0

5.0
2.5
5.8

5.1
2.5
6.2

4.7
2.5
6.0

5.0
2.5
6.1

DISCUSSION
Effect of Food Intake
The higher the dose, the higher the food intake

appetite

GIT motility

digestive juice secretion

RESULTS
Table 3. Effect of hyperthyroidism on water intake (mL).
Treatment
Days
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Animal A
(Control)
7.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
8.0
6.5
5.0
6.0
7.0
7.5
7.5
7.0
7.5
7.0

Animal B
(12.5 mcg)
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0

Animal C
(25 mcg)
7.0
6.0
6.5
7.5
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.5

Animal D
(50 mcg)
5.0
11.0
13.0
16.0
20.0
21.0

DISCUSSION
Effect on Water Intake
the higher the dose, the greater the water intake (polydipsia)

metabolic rate

body temperature

water intake

RESULTS
Table 4. Effect of hyperthyroidism on the hair coat.
Treatment
Days
1

Animal B (12.5
mcg)
Normal
(Smooth, shiny)
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal

Animal C (25
mcg)
Normal

Animal D (50
mcg)
Normal

2
3
4
5
6
7

Animal A
(Control)
Normal
(Smooth, shiny)
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal

Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Thinner, ruffled

Normal
Normal
Rough
Rough
Rough

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

10

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

11

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

12

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

13

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

14

Normal

Normal

Thinner, ruffled

DISCUSSION
Effect on Hair Coat
thyroxine promotes anagen (formation new hair follicles)
hairs are soft & shiny

RESULTS
Table 5. Effect of hyperthyroidism on fecal consistency.
Treatment
Days
1

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Animal A
(Control)
Normal
(slightly
moist)
normal
Normal
normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
normal

Animal B
(12.5 mcg)
Normal

Animal C
(25 mcg)
Moist

Animal D
(50 mcg)
Moist

Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
normal
Moist
Moist
Moist
Moist
Moist
Moist
Moist
Moist

Moist
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft

Moist
Moist
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft
Soft

DISCUSSION
Effect on Fecal Consistency

as the dose increases, the animal become diarrheic

there is frequent defecation

this is due to the increase in feed intake, increase in GIT secretions and hypermotily of the intestine

this leads to fast movement of ingesta in the intestine without proper absorption

RESULTS
Table 6. Effect of hyperthyroidism on behavior.
Treatmen Animal A
t Days
(Control)
1

Normal,
active

Animal B
(12.5
mcg)
Normal,
active

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

Normal

5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal

Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal
Normal

Animal C
(25 mcg)

Animal D
(50 mcg)

Less
Active (Vs.
Normal)
Less
Active (Vs.
Normal)
Less
Active (Vs.
Normal)
Less
Active (Vs.
Normal)
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active
Active

Normal

Normal

Enthusiast
ic
Enthusiast
ic
Lethargic
Quiescent

DISCUSSION
Effect on Behavior
the higher the dose of thyroxine, the animal becomes
more active
nervousness, anxiety, restlessness insomnia

RESULTS
Table 7. Effect of hyperthyroidism on some urine parameters.
Animal
A
(control
)
A
(control
)
B (12.5
mcg)
B (12.5
mcg)
C (25
mcg)
C (25
mcg)
D (50
mcg)

Time Period
Before
Experiment

Urine pH
6.0

Glucose
-

Protein
15

USG
1.030

Before
Sacrifice

6.0

30

1.030

Before
Experiment
Before
Sacrifice
Before
Experiment
Before
Sacrifice
Before
Experiment

5.0

1.030

6.0

1.030

6.0

1.030

6.0

30

1.030

5.0

1.020

DISCUSSION
Effect on Urine Parameters
increased thyroid hormone concentration
alkaline pH
negative protein
negative glucose
low specific gravity

RESULTS
Table 8. Effect of Hyperthyroidism on fat deposition (g/100g BW)
Animal

Treatment

Control

B
C

12.5 mcg
25 mcg

50 mcg

Fat
Depositio
n
0.66
(g/100g
BW)

1.37
(g/100g
BW)
-

DISCUSSION
Effect on Fat Deposition
decrease fat deposition

because of increase mobilization of fats from fat tissue

DISCUSSION
METABOLI
SM

LIPID

HIGH THYROXINE
LEVEL

LOW THYROXINE
LEVEL

Stimulate fat
mobilization
Increased
concentration of fatty
acid in plasma

Decreased utilization of
lipid substrates

*high thyroid hormone

levels, low blood
cholesterol
concentration*
CARBOHYDR
ATE

GROWTH

Increased stimulation
of carbohydrate
metabolism
Increased
gluconeogenesis and
glycogenolysis

decreased

Growth promoting

Growth retardation

Discussion
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
OF
HYPERTHYROIDISM

DISCUSSION
Effects on Respiratory System
promotes high oxygen consumption
increased respiratory rate and depth

DISCUSSION
Effects on Cardiovascular System
stimulates heart rate, cardiac output, and blood flow
increased transport of blood to tissues

DISCUSSION
Effects on Digestive System
increased food and water intake
increased gastrointestinal tract (GIT) secretions and motility =
diarrhea

DISCUSSION
Effects on Reproductive System
impotence in male
infertility or irregularity in estrus cycle in female

DISCUSSION
Diagnostic Test
TSH Test
measures the amount of TSH
Expect to be Low in Hyperthyroidism
If the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, the pituitary
shuts down TSH production, leading to low or even undetectable
TSH levels in the blood.

DISCUSSION
Diagnostic Test
T3/T4 Test
T4
Bound T4(inactive form)
Free T4(active form
high level of total T4 suggests hyperthyroidism

T3
Secreted only in small amounts

DISCUSSION
Serum T3 and T4 Levels in Domestic Animals

Species

T4 (nmol/L)

T3 (nmol/L)

Cattle

54-110.7 (82.4)

0.63-2.61 (1.42)

Sheep

38.6-54.4 (44.4)

1.35-2.92 (2.24)

Horse

11.6-36 (20)

0.48-2.43 (1.18)

Goat

38-79.2 (56.8)

0.97-2.3 (1.53)

Pig

21.9-60.2 (42.7)

0.66-2.15 (1.38)

Cat

1.3-32.3 (12.9)

0.23-1.59 (0.99)

dog

7.7-46.4 (29.7)

1.26-2.13 (1.65)

DISCUSSION
Diagnostic Test
TSI Test
TSI = Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
TSIs areantibodiesthattell the thyroid gland to swell and release
excess amounts of thyroid hormone into the blood.
Above Normal Level indicates hyperthyroidism.

DISCUSSION
Diagnostic Test
Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test
measures how much radioactive iodine is taken up by the thyroid
gland in acertain time period.
Normal Results:
6 hours: 3 - 16%
24 hours: 8 - 25%

Higher-than-normal uptake maye be due to Hyperthyroidism.

DISCUSSION
Table 9. Diagnostic Tests Important for Diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism

Diagnostic Test
TSH Test

Expected result for

Hyperthyroidism
Below normal

T3/T4 Test

Above normal

TSI Test

Above Normal

Radioactive Iodine
Uptake Test

Above Normal

CONCLUSION
Hyperthyroidism in mice causes a decrease in body weight, increase
in food and water intake, ruffled hair coat, moist fecal consistency,
hyperactive behavior, and decrease in fat deposition. Hyperthyroid
animals will have an alkaline pH and low specific gravity and protein and
glucose will be absent. These effects are due to increase in basal
metabolic rate.