Should I get another hyper-t test?

[Melissa and P]

Some other users and I were discussing the possibility of P having hyperthyroidism. He's always hungry, and he eats a lot (way more calories than he needs). He's not packing on the pounds, but there is some fluctuation. We're thinking P's got a fast metabolism, which could be due to hyper-t. But, I called the vet this morning, and they did run a test for it, although I don't know which one, T4 or T4 free, in December. I was wondering if it's something I should have him tested for again. It's only been 3ish months since the test, so I was wondering if it was worth the money to get another test. The only other possibility of the hunger that I can think of is that P is usually in higher numbers, and I know that can make him more hungry.

I am going to get him in for another urinalysis (he had one of those in December too) just because I know UTI's are common in sugar cats. How often do you guys get urinalysis for your sugar cats?

 

[Melissa and P]

I don't know if this makes a difference, but I forgot to add that the vet said that P's numbers for the hyper-t test were on the "low end of normal" back in December.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

As the vet the T4 value. For older cats, the default T4 criteria is not straightforward. The following is from one of my Lightning's tests. He was hyperthyroid but not hungry.
Total T4 5.9 Normal: 0.8 - 4.7 μg/dL 3.8

Interpretive ranges:
<0.8 Subnormal
0.8-4.7 Normal
2.3-4.7 Grey zone in old or symptomatic cats
>4.7 Consistent with hyperthyroidism
Cats with subnormal T4 values are almost exclusively euthyroid sick or
overtreated for their hyperthyroidism. Older cats with consistent
clinical signs and T4 values in the grey zone may have early
hyperthyroidism or a concurrent non-thyroidal illness. Hyperthyroidism
may be confirmed in these cats by adding on a free T4 or by performing
a T3 suppression test. Following treatment with methimazole, T4 values
will generally fall within the lower end of the reference range
(0.8 - 2.3).

 

[Melissa and P]

Thanks Larry!