Table 3.

Endocrine effects of lithium

Clinical hypothyroidism - 2 to 15%

Subclinical hypothyroidism - approximately 19%

Chemical hypothyroidism - 50%

Goiter - 5%

Hyperthyroidism - 0.7%

Lithium interferes with glandular release of thyroid hormones

Lithium at higher doses blocks iodine uptake and organification

? Lithium-induced thyroid autoimmunity

Subclinical increase of the levels of calcium and PTH

Very rarely, hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism

Increased, decreased and unchanged glucose tolerance

Thyroid function test (TFT) every 6 to 12 months

Females over the age of 45 or 50 - every 3 months