Clinical Research at the Animal Endocrine Clinic
At the Animal Endocrine Clinic, Dr. Peterson conducts clinical research studies in order to find safer or more effective methods to better prevent, detect, or treat a variety of endocrine diseases.
By clinical research, we are referring to research that involves the study of spontaneous disease among client-owned cats and dogs with hormonal disease.
For further information about the studies listed below, please download the .pdfs or email your veterinarian a link to this page. Our contact info (phone and email) is listed in each .pdf.
Current Clinical Studies:
1. Monitoring the Effects of Radioiodine Treatment with a Complete Thyroid Panel (T4, T3, Free T4, TSH)
This study investigates the use of a complete thyroid panel of tests (serum T4, T3, free T4, and TSH) to monitor the cats after radioiodine treatment. All cats treated with radioiodine at the Animal Endocrine Clinic will be eligible for this study.
The goal of this study is to determine if measuring a complete panel of four thyroid hormones will be better at detecting mild degrees of thyroid dysfunction in cats that have been treated with radioiodine (I-131). This includes looking for both persistent hyperthyroidism and mild hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid condition that can develop if too little normal thyroid tissue remains after treatment).
Click here to download details of this study: Owners - Veterinarians
2. Use of a Complete Thyroid Panel (T4, T3, Free T4, TSH) as an Aid in Diagnosing Iatrogenic Hypothyroidism in Cats
This study investigates the usefulness of a complete thyroid panel of 4 tests to help diagnose hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid condition) that can develop in hyperthyroid cats after radioiodine treatment.
We anticipate that use of a complete thyroid panel of 4 tests (serum T4, T3, free T4, and TSH) will increase our ability to properly and accurately diagnose hypothyroidism in cats. This diagnosis, however, will be confirmed by thyroid imaging (thyroid scintigraphy), considered the “gold standard” diagnostic technique for thyroid dysfunction.
Click here to download details of this study: Owners - Veterinarians
3. Evaluation of a Liquid Formulation of L-T4 (Leventa) for Treating Hypothyroidism in Cats
This study investigates the usefulness of a liquid thyroid hormone medication formulation (Leventa® Merck Animal Health; www.leventa.com) for treatment of cats with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid condition).
Click here to download details of this study: Owners - Veterinarians