Amber Technology Products

Amber Technology "TYD" (Thyroid)

Hypothyroidism refers to any condition in which the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease in dogs. Symptoms may include weight gain with no change in diet, feeling run down, slow, depressed, sluggish, cold, or tired and having dry skin and hair loss, constipation, muscle cramps, slow heart rate and infertility. Some patients have a swelling in the front of the neck due to thyroid enlargement (a goiter).

In most cases, hypothyroidism is caused by a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which a patient’s immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid. Hypothyroidism can also be caused by treatment of hyperthyroidism or by certain medications, and it may be present from birth. The thyroid may temporarily become under active after pregnancy or if it is inflamed due to a viral infection. Finally, a problem with the pituitary gland can cause hypothyroidism.

Learn more about hypothryroidism