How is Lithium used as medicine.
Lithium is used as a medicine to treat psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorders, acute mental illness, and other mood disorders. This test is useful to find out the appropriate dose for those who have just started with lithium treatment. It is also used to ensure that the right dosage is being administered throughout the treatment course. As the therapeutic index of lithium is narrow, there are chances of toxicity in patients who are on its regular dose. There is also the perception that lithium use poses particular problems, such as adverse effects and poor patient adherence, dose uncertainty, and the occurrence of withdrawal mood episodes upon sudden discontinuation. Altered mental status is the most common manifestation of its toxicity.
Technique
PHOTOMETRY
Who Prescribes
General physician, General Medicine
Sample Type
SERUM
Fasting
Non Fasting
