My German Shepherd's thyroid test was borderline low. What's it mean?

Question

Our German Shepherd mix had tests done for his thyroid and it came back low on the border line what does that mean

Christie Long, DVM · Accepted Answer

I would need to know exactly which thyroid hormone is borderline low. There are 2 main hormones that are used to diagnose hypothyroidism, and having a low T4 alone doesn't mean the dog has hypothyroidism. The other hormone, TSH, must also be measured, and that is typically elevated in hypothyroidism. If the T4 is borderline low, it may mean that the dog is hypothyroid, or not. Oftentimes the T4 is low when the dog is ill for other reasons, and the dog is not actually hypothyroid. Both values need to be looked at, along with the dog's symptoms and physical exam findings, before hypothyroidism can be diagnosed.

My German Shepherd's thyroid test was borderline low. What's it mean?

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