If you or someone you know is concerned about lithium poisoning or an overdose, please call 911 or get connected to a local poison control center by calling 1-800-222-1222. Lithium is a type of drug called a mood stabilizer that is primarily used
to manage symptoms in people living with bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Lithium testing measures the amount or concentration of lithium in the blood. Doctors use lithium testing to determine what specific dose of lithium is needed in order to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Repeat testing is ordered at various times during treatment to monitor patients and decide if a change in dose is needed. Sometimes a lithium test is required to
check for lithium poisoning. Lithium poisoning happens when too much of the drug is taken or there is a buildup of the drug in the body. A lithium test is used to evaluate the concentration of lithium in the blood. Knowing how much lithium is in the blood is important for diagnosing lithium poisoning and monitoring the health of people who take
lithium as a medical treatment for bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. Diagnosis is the process of finding the cause of symptoms. A lithium test can confirm if a person has lithium poisoning, also known as lithium toxicity. The test can also determine the severity of lithium poisoning. Monitoring is tracking health changes over time and in response to treatment. In patients receiving treatment with lithium,
doctors check lithium levels to establish a proper dose of the drug. Lithium levels in the blood must be within a certain range to effectively manage symptoms of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. This is called a therapeutic range or therapeutic window. Lithium is a medication that has a narrow therapeutic window. This means that small differences in the dose or blood concentration of lithium can impact how well the drug works and whether or
not it is safe. Treatment is not effective if lithium levels are below the therapeutic range. But if lithium levels are too high, patients may experience lithium toxicity, which can cause serious health complications. As a result, lithium treatment requires careful therapeutic drug monitoring. This means
that doctors check lithium levels frequently at the start of treatment to determine a dosage that causes lithium levels to be in a therapeutic range. Lithium levels are then measured again every few months or before a change in drug dosage. A lithium test measures the concentration of lithium in a sample of blood. Measurements are reported in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Lithium is a type of drug called a
mood stabilizer. It is most often used to prevent and treat episodes of mania in patients with bipolar disorder. Lithium is sometimes prescribed to manage the symptoms of other mental health conditions. As a medication, lithium is usually taken by mouth. It is absorbed by the gastrointestinal system and enters the blood, allowing the blood concentration to be measured. When should I get a lithium test?You may be prescribed a lithium test if your doctor is recommending treatment with lithium for a condition such as bipolar disorder. Lithium tests are ordered at the start of treatment to find a dose of the mediation that maintains a lithium blood level within the therapeutic range. After your doctor has determined an appropriate dose of lithium, they may order periodic tests to ensure that your lithium level remains within that therapeutic range. You may have a lithium test if you experience significant mood changes or if you continue to have symptoms of bipolar disorder. The results of lithium tests can help your doctor make any necessary adjustments to your treatment. You may also be prescribed a lithium test if you have signs of lithium poisoning, which can occur if too much lithium is taken at once or if lithium builds up in the blood over time. Possible signs of lithium poisoning include:
If you have been prescribed lithium, you can talk with your doctor about ongoing lithium testing including a plan for monitoring your lithium levels and the signs of lithium toxicity to look out for. Finding a Lithium TestHow to get testedA lithium test must be ordered by a health care provider. Lithium treatment is usually prescribed by a psychiatrist, which is a medical doctor who specializes in treating mental health conditions. Lithium levels may initially be monitored by your psychiatrist. Once you are on a stable dose of lithium, monitoring may be done by other members of your health care team such as your primary care provider or a mental health nurse. Testing usually requires a visit to a doctor’s office, laboratory, or hospital where a sample of blood is collected. Can I take the test at home?There are no at-home test kits currently available to evaluate lithium levels in the blood. How much does the test cost?The cost of lithium testing depends on a number of factors. Health insurance coverage, where the test is performed, and laboratory fees all factor into how much the test may cost. There may also be a fee for a health professional who draws your blood. You can speak with your doctor or insurance company about expected costs. They may be able to provide information about out-of-pocket expenses such as copays or deductibles. For patients who do not have insurance, it may be helpful to talk with your doctor or an administrator at the facility where you receive treatment about the cost of testing and how to pay for it. Taking a Lithium TestA test to measure lithium levels is performed on a blood sample. Usually, your blood will be drawn in a medical office or laboratory, and the sample will be sent to a lab for analysis. Point-of-care testing is another method of measuring lithium levels. Blood is collected from your finger and is immediately analyzed with a small device. You can speak with your doctor about whether point-of-care testing may be available. For more information about this kind of testing, see our Point-of-Care Testing page. Before the testLithium testing should take place 10 to 12 hours after your last dose of the medication. Sample collection most often takes place in the morning before you take the next dose of lithium. Generally, no other special test preparation is needed. During the testA sample of blood is required to measure lithium levels. Blood draws are a routine medical procedure and take just a few minutes. Usually, blood is drawn from a vein in your arm. The health professional drawing your blood will start by placing a tourniquet around your upper arm to increase the amount of blood in the vein. Next, the area will be cleaned with an antiseptic wipe to prevent infection. A needle will be inserted into the vein to remove blood. When collection is complete, the needle will be removed. You might feel a slight sting or minor pain when the needle is inserted and removed, but this should last only a few moments. If point-of-care testing is available, a drop of blood will be collected from your fingertip. A small device is used to analyze the sample, providing test results within a few minutes. After the testAfter the needle is removed from your vein, pressure will be applied to the area using a piece of cotton or gauze. This will help stop any bleeding and reduce the risk of bruising. A bandage will be placed over the area. There is very little risk involved with the blood draw required to test lithium levels. You may have light bruising or soreness in your arm. Contact your doctor if you have severe pain or any signs of an infection after the test. Lithium Test ResultsReceiving test resultsIf you undergo a blood draw to measure your lithium levels, the laboratory will usually make the results available to your doctor within a few days. Your doctor may contact you directly to review the results and any next steps. In some cases, your doctor’s office may upload your results to an online medical portal or send them to you through the mail. If you undergo point-of-care testing to check your lithium levels, your results will be available within minutes. Interpreting test resultsYour test report will show your lithium level in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Established reference ranges for lithium are as follows:
The therapeutic range includes the levels at which lithium treatment is effective in managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder and other conditions. If your level falls below the therapeutic range, it may mean you are not receiving enough mediation. Your doctor may want to adjust your lithium dose to reach a blood lithium concentration within the therapeutic range. The dose of lithium necessary to achieve a blood concentration within the therapeutic range can vary depending on the individual. Lithium treatment is prescribed only after considering your symptoms and evaluating other aspects of your health. The results of a lithium test can then be interpreted in relation to your specific situation. For example, certain medications and health conditions can impact how your body processes lithium and the amount needed to reach a level within the therapeutic range. Your doctor can account for these factors along with your lithium test results when determining the optimal dose for your treatment. Lithium testing can also check for lithium poisoning. Lithium levels above 2 mEq/l are an indication of lithium toxicity. Your health care provider will talk with you about next steps if you are experiencing lithium toxicity. If you have questions about your lithium levels, you can speak with your doctor about the test, your results, and what they mean for your physical and mental health. Are test results accurate?Testing to check lithium levels is a routine part of the medical care for someone receiving treatment with lithium. Lithium tests are generally considered to be accurate but, like any laboratory test, they are not perfect. The time at which you take the test is important. You should have your blood sample taken roughly 12 hours after the last dose of medication and before your next dose. In addition, other medications that you take or other health conditions may affect your blood levels of lithium. If you have concerns about the accuracy of your test results and how they may affect your treatment, you can speak with your health care provider. Do I need follow-up tests?While there are no specific follow-up tests suggested for patients who receive a lithium test, your doctor may run other tests during the course of your treatment to check the health and function of certain organs. Lithium is primarily cleared from the body by the kidneys. Your kidney function, also known as renal function, can impact how much lithium builds up in your body. Long-term use of lithium may also impact your kidneys. For this reason, your doctor may regularly order tests to assess the health of your renal system. Thyroid function can be negatively impacted by long-term lithium use, so your doctor may order tests to check how well your thyroid gland is working. Calcium levels may also be affected, so blood calcium levels are also measured on a regular basis in people taking lithium for an extended period of time. If there are concerns about lithium toxicity, your doctor may order a range of other tests to understand its severity. Questions for your doctor about test resultsYou may have questions about lithium testing throughout the course of your treatment. The following questions may help you better understand your test results and the role of lithium testing in your care:
Related TestsLithium testing in adults vs. childrenLithium testing has similar uses in adults and children. In both cases, a blood test is ordered by the patient’s health care provider. The interpretation of test results may vary between pediatric and adult patients since the therapeutic range can be different in pediatric patients. A pediatrician who specializes in medical care for children can best explain the purpose and results of lithium testing in younger patients. Related ContentView SourcesA.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Lithium toxicity. Updated October 3, 2019. Accessed November 29, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002667.htm American Board of Internal Medicine. ABIM laboratory test reference ranges. Updated July 2021. Accessed November 30, 2021. https://www.abim.org/Media/bfijryql/laboratory-reference-ranges.pdf Chokhawala K, Lee S, Saadabadi A. Lithium. In: StatPearls. Updated August 6, 2021. Accessed November 30, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519062/ Janicak PG. Bipolar disorder in adults and lithium: Pharmacology, administration, and management of adverse effects. In: Keck P, ed. UpToDate. Updated January 19, 2021. Accessed November 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/bipolar-disorder-in-adults-and-lithium-pharmacology-administration-and-management-of-adverse-effects UpToDate. Lithium: Drug information. Lexicomp. Date unknown. Accessed November 30, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/lithium-drug-information MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Therapeutic drug monitoring. Updated September 16, 2021. Accessed December 1, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/therapeutic-drug-monitoring/ Perrone J, Chatterjee P. Lithium poisoning. In: Traub SJ, ed. UpToDate. Updated December 4, 2020. Accessed on November 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/lithium-poisoning Ask a Laboratory Scientist This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. |
A patient is scheduled to take Lithium the patients Lithium level is 1 mmol/L as the nurse you will
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