How often does a cat need a thyroid (T4) test?

[Fluffysmom]

I called to make sure that my vet had Fluffy's methimazole prescription ready, and was told that I couldn't get it filled until I brought him in for bloodwork.  They wanted me to bring him in today.  They quoted me a price of a price of $84.60, which includes a large discount because of all the money I spent on my last visit.

On March 9th I spent $807.61 on dental cleaning, extractions, lump aspiration, cytology to lab, and lots of bloodwork before they could do anything.  For those of you that don't know, I have a very limited income.

I really dislike the thought of driving Fluffy all the way down there to get his blood drawn (they always get too much alcohol on him).  It's over a 20 mile drive one way since we're staying in my apartment.

I last had this test done 11/06/09.  Does it really have to be done every 6 months?  He's on a low dosage (1/2 of a 5 mg. tablet twice a day) and it hasn't changed for years.  This vet tried to double his dose once "because most of his patients are on a higher dose", and it was not a good experience.

They are sending my records in case of emergency when I leave town; I was going to pick them up with the methimazole.

Could he need a dosage change because he's lost 4 pounds in 6 months?

[Jade59]

Right, Kathy, just one more time :(

[Fluffysmom]

Thanks for your input.  My vet says that they have to do the blood work, they even have a sign posted saying that  the FDA requires it before prescribing certain kinds of medications.  They won't renew without further bloodwork.

Their bottom line is very important to them, as much as they care about their patients.

I did get a nice response from the vet about some questions I had e-mailed him.  I'll cut and paste it in here:

Kathy

    I hope all is well with your own medical endeavors.  With regard to questions:

#1 Yes the cylotogy and radiograph were fairly conclussive, speaking with the pathologist even more, but the recommendation for more tissue and another biopsy is one I can not second guess.  I understand your financial position and surely don't want you to feel pressured from me, but the recommendation still stands.
  
#2 As for survival time I have had cats with same kind of biopsy results and area of growth go for over a year(against my recommendation due to poor quality of life) with the owner just letting the cat "deal with" a huge growth on the face.  There is no way for me to give you any time line.  If you were to see an oncologist they could give you a better idea with multiple samples and then find out more of spread to other tissues, or local invasion.

#3  At the time of Doctor H's dental and mass evaluation there were no signs of it in the oral cavity itself.  Discomfort could theoretically be coming from the mass taking up space in the face region also around the muscles of mastecation (chewing).  Also some cancer patients (human) don't feel well enough to eat just from the cancer and not medication they are on so we could have a degree of not "feeling well enough to eat much".
  
Hope this helps, if you have more questions feel free to email or call.
Dr. C.

You see, he states that the testing so far was fairly conclusive that Fluffy has sq. cell carcinoma and although he understands my financial situation, he still recommends that I get more expensive testing, even suggesting I consult an oncologist.  

It's been two months since diagnosis.  I guess I'd only have to do the blood work one more time for his thyrod medication.

[Jade59]

Kathy, I don't know anything about thyroid, but it makes sense for the dose to be changed since Fluffy's lost so much weight.  4lbs is a lot for a cat.  

HOWEVER, if Fluffy's been doing just fine on his current dose even though he's lost the weight I would think under all the circumstances, your vet would just renew and forgo the blood work.  

Just thinking logically here.  Sorry to not be of much help.