fTSH in cats with Nonthyroidal illness as a predictor of survival
Purpose
To develop a point of care test that is more sensitive to feline Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(fTSH) and determine if this method of testing can help predict outcomes in ill cats and guide clinical decision.
Background
Undetectable thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations measured via the chemiluminescence assay (cTSH-CLIA) can predict survival in euthyroid ill cats. However, the LLOD of this assay is <0.03 ng/mL which does not differentiate between low-normal and suppressed TSH concentrations. This can limit its use as approximately 30% of healthy cats can have an undetectable TSH concentrations. The new TSH bulk acoustic wave assay (fTSH-BAW) is more sensitive for detecting suppressed TSH concentrations versus normal TSH concentrations in cats and, therefore, could be a better predictor of cats that survival in ill cats compare to the CLIA assay. Furthermore, the fTSH-BAW assay is a point of care test which can provide immediate results whereas cTSH-CLIA generally needs to be sent to a reference laboratory delaying the availability of results. If fTSH-BAW is found to be a good predictor of survival, this test can provide immediate results to help clinicals predict outcomes in ill cats and help guide clinical decisions.
Eligibility
· Cats with nonthyroidal illness
· Cats deemed healthy via history, physical examination, routine blood work (CBC, Chemistry, UA and total T4).
Exclusion Criteria
· Hyperthyroid cats
· Cats receiving medications within the 2‐week period before blood sampling that could affect serum thyroid hormone concentrations (eg, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents, sulfonamides, phenobarbital, tricyclic antidepressants, methimazole, thyroid hormone replacement)
Study Design
A blood sample (~3-5 mL) will be collected via venipuncture for perform routine blood test and thyroid function tests. A cystocentesis will be performed in cats as needed to collect a urine sample for urinalysis. Enrolled cats will have TSH concentrations measured via fTSH-BAW and cTSH-CLIA assays.
Compensation
The study will be using samples from healthy or ill cats that are already having blood drawn for routine diagnostic testing. The tests used for the study will not incur additional costs to the owner.
Contact
Robyn Fox,LVT Clinical Trials Coordinator
Office Phone: (540) 231-1363 | Email: vettrials@vt.edu
If your query is urgent, please call the Small Animal Hospital on (540) 231-4621.