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The Lithium Toxic Patient in the Medical Hospital: Diagnostic and Management Dilemmas
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The Lithium Toxic Patient in the Medical Hospital: Diagnostic and Management Dilemmas

Dilip Ramchandani and Barbara A. Schindler
International journal of psychiatry in medicine, v 23(1), pp 55-62
Mar 1993
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/JD8Y-XVUK-A5KJ-5B62
PMID: 8514465
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Objective: Patients with lithium toxicity can pose difficulties in diagnosis and management in the general hospital setting. The authors examined patients who were referred to the Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Service with suspicion of lithium overdose to delineate and characterize medical and psychiatric risk factors for toxicity and to follow the course and resolution of their toxicity. Method: The authors reviewed the charts of patients with lithium levels >1.5 mEq/L who were admitted consecutively to a general hospital over an 18-month period. Results: Of twelve patients, eight were found to have developed lithium toxicity due to incidental and iatrogenic factors. These patients presented with a variety of confusing signs and symptoms. Hypothyroidism and coexisting organic illness contributed to the lack of clarity in their clinical picture. Conclusion: The widening scope of indication for lithium therapy leads to increased risk of toxic reactions which challenge the diagnostic skills of the consulting psychiatrist in a general hospital setting.

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4 citations in Web of Science
5 citations in Scopus

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Web of Science research areas
Psychiatry
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