What thyroid tests did you have done - was it just the T4, Joy? It is best to have more for a more accurate result. This is taken from the files on the site (just in case you have not seen them) :
">>Thyroid disease is not always simple to diagnose but usually a low TT4 (total thyroid hormone) confirmed by a low FreeT4 (thyroid hormone measurement without protein) and a high TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is considered to be diagnostic of hypothyroidism. (In addition, tests to assess thyroid dysfunction may include: TT3, FT3, autoantibody, TSH and TRH response tests).
"Measuring TT4 alone is not enough to make a definitive diagnosis as the dog could be suffering from a non-thyroidal illness (NTI), that is an illness affecting the amount of thyroid hormone within the circulation, rather than a primary autoimmune destruction of the glands. Non-thyroidal illness should be suspected if the dog has a low TT4 and a low TSH. Note: Several drugs, including prednisolone, will lower the circulating TT4 levels and this should be taken into account when evaluating the results. " <<<
It could be that your dog is Hypothyroid as the "normal ranges" are only a guide. Certainly untreated Hypothyroidism can cause seizures. Does she have any other clinical signs that would point to HypoT?
If she is not Hypothyroid then other things need to be looked into. I trust all the other blood tests she has had included making sure the kidneys, liver, electrolytes, etc. were okay. There is a possibility that it could be a brain disease causing it but I would certainly want to get her thyroid checked thoroughly first.
I can see why they have put her on Epiphen but if it is a thyroid problem and nothing else I personally would not be wanting to be giving her unnecessary medication. It may apparently be controlling her seizures but there were a few months inbetween seizures before so....
Anyway I think you are right to ask for further tests (and full ones!). I know it is not easy going against vets but you may yet prove them wrong, and make your dog feel better. On the other hand the vets may be right but at least, with the thryroid result being inconclusive, you will feel satisfied that it was ruled out.
">>Thyroid disease is not always simple to diagnose but usually a low TT4 (total thyroid hormone) confirmed by a low FreeT4 (thyroid hormone measurement without protein) and a high TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is considered to be diagnostic of hypothyroidism. (In addition, tests to assess thyroid dysfunction may include: TT3, FT3, autoantibody, TSH and TRH response tests).
"Measuring TT4 alone is not enough to make a definitive diagnosis as the dog could be suffering from a non-thyroidal illness (NTI), that is an illness affecting the amount of thyroid hormone within the circulation, rather than a primary autoimmune destruction of the glands. Non-thyroidal illness should be suspected if the dog has a low TT4 and a low TSH. Note: Several drugs, including prednisolone, will lower the circulating TT4 levels and this should be taken into account when evaluating the results. " <<<
It could be that your dog is Hypothyroid as the "normal ranges" are only a guide. Certainly untreated Hypothyroidism can cause seizures. Does she have any other clinical signs that would point to HypoT?
If she is not Hypothyroid then other things need to be looked into. I trust all the other blood tests she has had included making sure the kidneys, liver, electrolytes, etc. were okay. There is a possibility that it could be a brain disease causing it but I would certainly want to get her thyroid checked thoroughly first.
I can see why they have put her on Epiphen but if it is a thyroid problem and nothing else I personally would not be wanting to be giving her unnecessary medication. It may apparently be controlling her seizures but there were a few months inbetween seizures before so....
Anyway I think you are right to ask for further tests (and full ones!). I know it is not easy going against vets but you may yet prove them wrong, and make your dog feel better. On the other hand the vets may be right but at least, with the thryroid result being inconclusive, you will feel satisfied that it was ruled out.