Lithium

Code:
LITH

Sample Type:

Serum (Gold Top)

Minimum volume: 1 mL

Ref Ranges/Units:

Therapeutic range 0.4 – 1.0 mmol/L

Aim for serum levels of 0.6 – 0.8 mmol/L for long term maintenance therapy, especially in the elderly.

Results >1.5 mmol/L will be phoned to the requesting clinician.

Turnaround:

Same Day (60 minutes from receipt for Urgent Samples)

Stability:

1 day at 15‑25 °C  
7 days at 2‑8 °C  
6 months at -20 °C 

Special Precautions/Comments:

Standard sampling time of 12 hours post dose is recommended. 

Additional Information:

Lithium is used in the treatment and prophylaxis of mania, bipolar affective disorder and recurrent depression. 

Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window and high doses are associated with toxicity, especially in the elderly. Therapeutic drug monitoring allows the optimal therapeutic dose to be achieved by avoiding both subtherapeutic and toxic levels. It also allows monitoring of compliance.  

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