Lab reference

Lithium Level

Drug Levels

For education. Check every result.

Anatium is a study resource, not medical advice. Nothing here is a diagnosis, a prescription or a substitute for a clinician who has seen the patient. Check every number against a current local protocol before it touches anyone, and never act on a result you cannot reproduce yourself.

Reference range

Range0.6 to 1 mmol/L

About

Serum lithium, monitored routinely because toxicity begins just above the therapeutic range. Dehydration, NSAIDs and ACE inhibitors all push it up.

When it is low

Below the usual 0.6-0.8 maintenance target: relapse more likely. Some patients, especially older ones, are kept at 0.4-0.6

When it is high

Above 1.0: no extra benefit in maintenance, more side effects. Toxicity: coarse tremor, ataxia, confusion, seizures. NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazides and dehydration all raise it

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