Incidence of microcytosis in hyperthyroid cats referred for radioiodine treatment

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to document the incidence of erythrocyte microcytosis in a population of hyperthyroid cats referred for radioiodine (RAI) treatment. Microcytosis has been observed but not described in feline hyperthyroid patients and is associated with hyperthyroidism in humans. METHODS: Retrospective clinicopathological data were collected for cats undergoing RAI between January and December 2017. Microcytosis was defined as mean cell volume (MCV) <41.3 fl using the ADVIA 2120 haematology analyser (Siemens) and identified on blood smear examination by a haematology laboratory scientist or board-certified specialist in veterinary clinical pathology. Hyperthyroidism was classified as mild (total thyroxine [TT4] 60–124.9 nmol/l), moderate (TT4 125–250 nmol/l) or severe (TT4 ⩾251 nmol/l) immediately before RAI. Data were analysed descriptively and using a Pearson correlation coefficient to test the relationship between TT4 and microcytosis, and time elapsed between first diagnosis and MCV. RESULTS: There were 41 female and 37 male cats with an age range of 7.2–20.8 years. Most cats were non-pedigree (98.7%). Microcytosis (median MCV 39.8 fl, interquartile range 32.3–41.2) was present in 29.5% (23/78) of the cats. Of the 23 microcytic samples, 86.9% (20/23) were confirmed as such on smear examination. Of mildly, moderately and severely hyperthyroid cats, 23% (6/26), 28.1% (9/32) and 40% (8/20) were microcytic, respectively. Two microcytic cats had low red blood cell counts (<6 × 10(12)/l) and low haemoglobin concentration (<8.2 g/dl). There was no correlation between TT4 or time elapsed from first diagnosis and MCV. Microcytosis resolved in 77.7% (7/9) of cases with follow-up. One microcytic cat had significant comorbidities (portosystemic shunt). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Microcytosis was present in a significant proportion of hyperthyroid cats, most without clinically significant comorbidities, and resolved in some following RAI.