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Test Protocol 6

CANINE THYROTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE (TRH) STIMULATION TEST
The TRH stimulation test is used to detect primary and secondary hypothyroidism in dogs and is the alternative to the thyrotropin (TSH) stimulation test. The main limitation of the test is that little information has been published on the effects of drugs or non-thyroidal illness. Also the response of dogs to TRH stimulation is more variable than that of dogs to TSH stimulation. PROTOCOL
  1. Take 2ml of clotted or heparinised blood
  2. Inject 0.2mg (200m g) of TRH per dog slowly i/v over 1 minute
  3. Take a second 2ml of clotted or heparinised blood 4 hours after TRH injection
  4. If possible separate the serum or plasma before dispatch to the laboratory and label the tubes "pre" and "post" TRH
INTERPRETATION

Following TRH stimulation the T4 concentration in a normal dog will increase to >1.2 x the basal T4 concentration, rising to a concentration >30 nmol/l.

TRH SUPPLY

TRH is available on prescription as Protirelin (Roche) (licensed for use in humans only; 2mg/vial).
 
Test Code Test Name and Description Sample
TRHS TRH Stimulation Test (Canine) 2 x serum or heparin plasma

REFERENCE

Sparkes,A.H.,Gruffydd-Jones,T.J.,Wotton,P.R.,Gleadhill,A.,Evans,H. and Walker,M.J. (1995). Assessment of dose and time responses to TRH and thyrotropin in healthy dogs. J.S.A.P. 36. p 245 - 251.
 
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