Lithium
CPT Code(s):
80178
Turnaround Time:
4 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Serum
Minimum Volume:
1.0 mL
Transport Container:
Red Top Tube
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Allow blood to clot completely prior to centrifugation. Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Rejection Criteria:
Citrate or Fluoride plasma specimen; specimen received on red cells gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
24 hours
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
180 days
Clinical Significance
Lithium holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in monitoring lithium levels in a patient's blood. Lithium is a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, helping to stabilize mood and prevent manic and depressive episodes. Lithium is essential for ensuring therapeutic efficacy and minimizing the risk of toxicity.
The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of Lithium include:
1. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Lithium is used to monitor the concentration of lithium in the blood, ensuring that levels remain within the therapeutic range. Regular monitoring helps healthcare providers optimize treatment by adjusting medication dosage to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
2. Assessing Compliance: Monitoring lithium levels aids in assessing patient compliance with prescribed medication regimens. Consistently low levels may suggest non-adherence, while high levels may indicate excessive intake or potential toxicity. Assessing compliance allows healthcare providers to address any barriers to adherence and ensure the effectiveness of treatment.
3. Preventing Lithium Toxicity: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that maintaining the appropriate blood concentration is crucial to avoid toxicity. Lithium helps identify elevated lithium levels that may lead to adverse effects, such as tremors, confusion, excessive thirst, and kidney problems. Regular monitoring helps healthcare providers detect early signs of toxicity and adjust treatment accordingly.
4. Individualized Dosing: Lithium metabolism varies among individuals, and therapeutic blood levels may differ from person to person. Lithium helps establish the optimal dosage for each patient, ensuring that they receive the appropriate amount of medication based on their individual response and metabolism.
5. Monitoring Drug Interactions: Certain medications, such as diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and some antidepressants, can interact with lithium, affecting its metabolism and increasing the risk of toxicity. Monitoring lithium levels aids in identifying potential drug interactions and guiding appropriate medication adjustments to mitigate risks.
Interpretation of Lithium results involves considering the patient's clinical context, including symptoms, medical history, and other factors that may affect lithium levels, such as renal function and concurrent medications. Regular communication between healthcare providers and patients is essential to ensure accurate interpretation of the test results and adjust treatment plans as necessary.
In summary, Lithium is specifically used for therapeutic drug monitoring, assessing compliance, preventing toxicity, individualizing dosing, and monitoring drug interactions in patients receiving lithium therapy. It provides valuable information about lithium levels, aiding healthcare providers in optimizing treatment outcomes and minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Close collaboration between healthcare providers and patients is crucial to interpret the test results accurately and implement personalized treatment plans.