Objective To observe the changing of thyroid hormone levels and hepatic function indicators of Graves disease patients with hepatic dysfunction who undergoing ¹³¹I therapy, then to evaluate the therapeutic effect and provide practical guidance for clinic.

Methods The clinical data of the 101 Graves disease patients with hepatic dysfunction who had received ¹³¹I therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Thyroid hormone levels and hepatic function indices before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment were analyzed.

Results After followed up for 6 months, of all the 101 patients, thyroid function returned to normal in 79 cases; 14 cases improved markedly; 8 cases progressed in hypothyroidism. Liver function returned to normal in 94 cases and liver function improved in 7 cases. Three and six months after ¹³¹I therapy, thyroid hormones levels of all the patients decreased significantly, and TSH restored gradually. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltransferanse and total bilirubin level were significantly decreased. Comparison of thyroid hormones and hepatic function indices of patients 3 months after treatment vs. the values before treatment and 6 months after treatment vs. 3 months after treatment, the differences were statistically significant(t=4.609~26.865, P < 0.01).

Conclusion ¹³¹I therapy is better than antithyroid drugs treatment, it should be the first choice for Graves disease patients with hepatic dysfunction.