12yo cat being tested for thyroid

[WoodyCoppicePlantationAlmaMater]

Hi there fellow pawrents
Short version - took our darling boy to the vet today as he's showing signs of nasal infection snd slso his fur and skin has been looking really awful recently. They suspect thyroid (he already has a heart murmur, poor love).

They've taken bloods and wexare awaiting results.

Just looking for advice from smyone whose gone through similar as to what to expect going forward? Obviously I know we need to wait until results to know what we are dealing with - google isn't helping :-(

My boy had a heart murmur all his life and was on thyroid medication from around 12. He was on medication permanently but was happily in our lives till he was nearly 17. Still miss him, mind you.

It's quite common in older cats and thyronorm is pricey £80 per bottle I think. Dcat got used to syringe on a couple of weeks. Is more sleepy now but otherwise fine

Our cat had a thyroid issue and had radioactive iodine therapy. It worked really well for her.

Our older girl had a thyroid issue. Daily pills kept her well.

My old boy was on thyroid meds daily for several years. He had a great quality of life. He had several health issues, but the thyroid problem was controlled. It was expensive though.

Mine is on twice daily medication. It took a while to get her levels down to normal but that’s because the wily minx wouldn’t cooperate on taking the oral treatments.

I looked into the radiation and would have gone that route but the waiting lists were six months long (a Brexit/Covid supply issue which is probably resolved now) and my cat’s since developed a heat murmur and early kidney problems so going to stick with the medication. But if you can afford it and cope with the practical side, it sounded brilliant.

The medications do work and if you struggle with Thyronorm there are a pill and an ointment as alternatives. Although I slightly miss one side effect, where she’d suddenly get the zoomies.

If they prescribe thyronorm get a prescription and buy online - it's about £45 for a 3 month bottle from pet drugs online.

You will probably need a blood test every year or so to check levels.

Oh also my cat loved the thyronorm and would come running when she saw the syringe!

My cat was diagnosed about 18 months ago. He went from a very energetic boy (even though he was old!) to a very sleepy boy with no energy at all. He has Thyronorm through a syringe twice a day which took a while to get used to but is fine now.
He has only recently (last couple of months) started wanting to play with us/his toys again but for a much shorter time than before. He doesn't have the zoomies at all anymore.
He went deaf around the same time as being diagnosed so the worst thing now is putting up with his very loud singing and shouting. Much, much louder than before!
Agree with PP that once your vet has the dose right, they will give (sell!) you the prescription and you can get it far cheaper online.
I think our first vet bottle was about £80 for 30ml but we now get a 100ml bottle for about £45 online (lasts three months). We have to pay £20 to the vet for the prescription once every 6 or 9 months.

Thanks everone

If you are insured you can get radioactive iodine treatment which is the gold standard treatment and is a cure. No more pills. Both my cats had it. The last one went on to live to 21 and I'm expecting current cat who is 15 to do the same.