Lithium

DESCRIPTION:
Lithium is a metal by its chemical composition. In medicine, it is used in the form of its salts: lithium carbonate, lithium citrate, lithium aspartate… as a medicine for patients with behavioral disorders (manic depression, schizophrenia), in the treatment of drug addicts. In such patients, due to the increased level of serotonin, there is a sudden change in mood, and lithium is the one that regulates the level of serotonin, i.e. maintains it in normal values.

DETERMINATION:
Sample: PLASMA. Blood must be drawn 12 hours after the last intake of lithium.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Determining the concentration of lithium in the blood is a clinical indicator of the monitoring of lithium therapy. The reference range of lithium in the blood is from 0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L. Toxic effects can be expected at a plasma lithium concentration of around 1.5 mmol/L, although they can also occur at lower concentrations. In this case, the drug must be stopped immediately, and toxic effects must always be considered very serious. Before initiating lithium treatment – It is important to ensure that renal function is assessed. – Thyroid function should also be assessed. Patients must be euthyroid before initiation of lithium treatment. – The state of cardiac function needs to be evaluated especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. – Kidney, heart and thyroid function must be monitored regularly.

RESULT:
The result is ready in 1-2 days.