TITLE:
Lithium carbonate plus 131I in the treatment of Graves’ hyperthyroidism
AUTHORS:
Jinshun Zha, Yan Jiang, Yuan Xu, Qinxiu Lin, Chunling Huang, Tingyin Jiang
KEYWORDS:
Lithium Carbonate; Iodine Radioisotopes; Graves’ Hyperthyroidism; Chemotherapy; Adjuvant
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering,
Vol.6 No.7D,
July
15,
2013
ABSTRACT: Aims: Effectiveness of radioiodine for Graves’ hyperthyroidism (GD) depends on its intrathyroidal persistence, which could be enhanced by lithium by blocking the release of organic iodine and thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. The present aim focused on the effect of the addition of lithium carbonate to 131I therapy in patients with GD. Methods: 100 consecutive patients with GD were randomly assigned to two groups: group (A) patients treated with 131I and group (B) patients treated with 131I plus lithium carbonate. Patients in B group were treated with a dose of 0.5 g per day (2 × 0.25 g) of lithium carbonate for half a month before and after the administration of 131I. Thyroid weight was estimated by ultrasonography and careful palpation of the thyroid. Radiation absorbed dose rate in the front of the neck was measured on days 1530 and 45 after the administration of 131I. Serum concentrations of thyroidstimulation hormone (TSH), fee tri-iodothyrosine (T3) and free thyroxine (T4) were tested on days 30, 45, 90, 180 before and after treatment. Results: After RIT, radiation absorbed dose rate in the front of neck gradually decreased as time went on (p 0.05), free T3 and free T4 values in both groups rose significantly one month after treatment (all p 0.05). Cure rate of hyperthyroidism was achieved in 36 of the 50 patients (72%) treated with 131I alone and in 38 of the 50 patients (76%) treated with 131I plus lithium. Conclusion: We suggest that for patients withdrawing of ATD and those with short effective half-time, as well as those intolerant or invalid, the short term addition of lithium to 131I allows for a better control of thyrotoxia and the completeness of treatment.