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The prevalence of hypocobalaminaemia in cats with spontaneous hyperthyroidism
Article first published online: 26 JAN 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.01027.x
© 2011 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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How to Cite
Cook, A. K., Suchodolski, J. S., Steiner, J. M. and Robertson, J. E. (2011), The prevalence of hypocobalaminaemia in cats with spontaneous hyperthyroidism. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 52: 101–106. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.01027.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 JAN 2011
- Article first published online: 26 JAN 2011
- Accepted: 6 December 2010
- Abstract
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Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypocobalaminaemia in cats with moderate to severe hyperthyroidism and to investigate the relationship between cobalamin status and selected haematologic parameters.
Methods: Serum cobalamin concentrations were measured in 76 spontaneously hyperthyroid cats [serum thyroxine (T4) concentration ≥100 nmol/L] and 100 geriatric euthyroid cats. Erythrocyte and neutrophil counts in hyperthyroid cats with hypocobalaminaemia were compared with those in hyperthyroid cats with adequate serum cobalamin concentrations (≥290 ng/L).
Results: The median cobalamin concentration in hyperthyroid cats was lower than the control group (409 versus 672 ng/L; P=0·0040). In addition, 40·8% of hyperthyroid cats had subnormal serum cobalamin concentrations compared with 25% of controls (P=0·0336). Weak negative correlation (coefficient: –0·3281) was demonstrated between serum cobalamin and T4 concentrations in the hyperthyroid population, and the median cobalamin concentration was lower in cats with T4 above the median of 153 nmol/L compared with cats with T4 below this value (P=0·0281). Hypocobalaminaemia was not associated with neutropenia or anaemia in hyperthyroid cats.
Clinical Significance: This study indicates that a substantial proportion of cats with T4≥100 nmol/L are hypocobalaminaemic and suggests that hyperthyroidism directly or indirectly affects cobalamin uptake, excretion or utilisation in this species.