Our Endocrine/Hormonal testing options offer practitioners fast and effective results. These services have been designed to match practitioners expectations in terms of quality and service, whilst at all times offering cost effectiveness for the practice and the practices clients.
Our veterinary pathology team are all highly qualified within their specific discipline and particularly within internal medicine. This dedication to providing the highest level of diagnostic service is highlighted by the exceptional level of interpretation and clinical excellence this service brings to you.
Our comprehensive endocrine service is operated internally by our team of highly trained scientific officers. Renowned in the UK diagnostic industry for the speed and quality of diagnosis we provide, Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd offer diagnostic referral solutions to practitioners across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
We offer testing options in the following areas within our
in-house Endocrinology Department:
| Available Tests |
Thyroid
|
Adrenal
|
Reproductive
Endocrines
|
Also available
|
• TT4
• cTSH
• Free T4d
• TgABs
|
• ACTH Stimulation
• LDDST
• HDDST
• Endogenous ACTH
• Urinary Cortisol/
• Creatinine Ratio
• 17-oh Progesterone |
• Progesterone
• Oestradiol
• Testosterone
|
• Insulin
• Aldosterone
• IGF-1
• PTH
|
Routine Analysis on our Immulite 2000 analyser
The Immulite 2000 is an automated immunoassay analyser which performs chemiluminescent immunoassays and is used for the measurement of: TT4,
canine TSH, cortisol, progesterone, oestradiol, testosterone, vitamin B12, folic acid and digoxin.
Cortisol
Measurement of cortisol levels is useful in the differential diagnosis of Addison's and Cushing's disease, hypopituitarism and adrenal hyperplasia and carcinoma.
Canine TSH
Canine TSH is a glycoprotein produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Through its action on the thyroid gland, it plays a major role in maintaining normal circulating levels of T4 and T3. Elevated TSH levels are expected in primary hypothyroidism, where there is impaired production of T4 and T3.
Digoxin
Digoxin is indicated in dogs and cats with signs of low output or congestive heart failure due to myocardial failure and it is the most commonly used cardiac glycoside. The myocardial failure may be primary (e.g. dilated cardiomyopathy) or secondary to increased cardiac workloads (e.g. patent ductus arteriosus).
Total T4
TT4 circulates largely bound to transport proteins, especially thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). Levels of TBG are altered under various physiological, pharmacological and genetic conditions. Total T4 levels therefore, are influenced by the TBG status. When normal thyroid-binding proteins are found, increased levels of total T4 indicate hyperthyroidism and decreased levels hypothyroidism.
|
Vitamin B12
Serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) is liberated from dietary protein in the stomach by acid and pepsin. Cobalamin is absorbed in the ileum where there are specific receptors for the vitamin-intrinsic factor complex.
Canines have decreased values with: 1) severe distal small intestinal disease, which reduces absorption. 2) inherited absorptive defect. 3) bacterial overgrowth. 4) exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Increases in canines occur with vitamin supplementation. Felines do not get bacterial overgrowth. Decreased values in the cat are usually due to small intestine mucosal disease.The B12 monitoring in cattle and sheep is to monitor for cobalt deficiency.
Folic acid
Decreased serum levels occur with proximal small intestinal disease and with certain drugs, for example phenytoin and sulphasalazine.
Increased serum levels occur with bacterial overgrowth (not felines) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
The test is usually used in conjunction with vitamin B12 determination. Folate is
increased and vitamin B12 decreased in EPI and bacterial overgrowth, and both are decreased in severe, diffuse small intestinal disease. |
