Serum sdma as a marker for masked chronic kidney disease in hyperthyroid cats

Hyperthyroidism can complicate (mask) the diagnosis of concurrent chronic kidney disease (CKD), because it increases glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and decreases body muscle mass, both of which lower serum creatinine concentrations. As a result, many hyperthyroid cats with concurrent CKD only develop azotemia after successful treatment when GFR and muscle mass return to euthyroid states. Currently, no clinical test can reliably predict which hyperthyroid cats have concurrent, masked CKD. Identifying these cats may influence the choice of treatment for hyperthyroidism, as well as the care taken to minimize post-treatment iatrogenic hypothyroidism, which can worsen existing azotemia and shorten survival time in cats with CKD.
Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Clinical Pathology Source Type: research