BLOG DISCLAIMER

**DISCLAIMER** Please note: I am not a veterinarian, and the purpose of this blog is solely to educate, provide resources, and share Reo's story. In this blog, I will present research and information on the theories of SARDS to which I subscribe, along with my own narrative. If you think your dog may have SARDS, or adrenal exhaustion/Plechner Syndrome, please seek veterinary care right away!

If you are just beginning your SARDS education, I suggest you start with the blog post from August 22, 2011 entitled "SARDS Resources". If you'd like to know our trials, tribulations, and joys from the beginning, start with "But first...Reo!" and click chronologically on from there.

If you would like to read my suggestions as to how I would approach treatment for a newly-diagnosed dog, check the November 16, 2011 post "If I had another SARDS dog" (and then read my blog more fully for appropriate context).

Though we have decided to suspend Reo's retinal protection supplements in September 2012 (see September 16, 2012 post "Decision for Reo") due to the fact that she had very little remaining vision, I am still strongly supportive of our treatment approach, and know that it changed Reo's health and longevity in a positive way. Feel free to comment and ask me any questions - I am happy to help if I can!

Update: Reo became an angel on October 21, 2014. She had a profound kidney infection, causing acute kidney failure, and she was unable to recover. The contributing factors to her decline are covered in my February 16, 2015 blog post "Farewell to Reo".

Though I do not regularly update this blog any longer, much of the information is still relevant (though some of the links may be out of date). Feel free to join the conversation at "SARDS Dogs United" on Facebook.




Friday, September 2, 2011

Third EI-1 panel

06/22/11 - We got Reo's bloodwork back today!  Results in the last column:
Reference Range
16-Mar-11
30-Apr-11
15-Jun-11
Total Estrogen
30 - 35
35.19
35.15
35.11
Cortisol
1.0 - 2.5
8.43
7.03
0.97
T3
100 - 200
62.7
72.12
87.92
T4
2.0 - 4.5
0.87
1.15
1.6
IgA
70 - 170
50
53
57
IgG
1,000 - 2,000
722
754
883
IgM
100 - 200
74
76
87


I am so happy with her improvement!  Her total estrogen continues to come down, while her thyroid hormones are getting closer to the normal range.  Her immunoglobulin levels are also rising, which is great news.


I was surprised to see the cortisol number to have dropped so severly, and now is slightly below normal.  In my mind, this proves that the initial two results were showing Reo was producing an isomer of cortisol (which her body couldn't use).  Now that she has been on DepoMedrol injections, and also oral Medrol, her liver has had a chance to clear out all of those isomers, and now we get a picture of Reo's true cortisol-producing capabilities:  LOW.


If Reo would have been treated for Cushing's, she would have died.  This is why I think it is so important to make sure to have the EI-1 panel to get an accurate picture of a dog's hormonal situation.  And please remember - elevated estrogen mimics the symptoms of elevated cortisol!


I spoke with Dr. P, and he suggested that we bump up the Medrol to 1.5 mg once a day, and the L-thyroxine to 0.15 mg twice a day.  After discussing with Sean, we decided not to do this until we got back from our week-long vacation, just in case there are any side effects.  Sean's nephews are going to watch the house, kitties, and pups for us while we're gone!
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