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Lithium therapy and thyroid function: a long-term study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. H. Lazarus ,
R. John ,
E. H. Bennie ,
R. J. Chalmers  and
G. Crockett
J. H. Lazarus*
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow; and the University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
R. John
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow; and the University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
E. H. Bennie
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow; and the University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
R. J. Chalmers
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow; and the University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
G. Crockett
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff; Leverndale Hospital, Glasgow; and the University Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
*
1Address for Correspondence: Dr J. H. Lazarus, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
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Synopsis

Seventy-three patients who had been continuously receiving lithium carbonate for 6 months or more had their thyroid function evaluated clinically and biochemically. Goitre was found in 37 %, exophthalmos in 23 %, positive thyroid auto-antibodies in 24 % and abnormal TRH tests in 49 %. It would appear that thyroid failure due to lithium is usually dependent on antibody mediated damage. It is unlikely that lithium has a direct effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , February 1981 , pp. 85 - 92
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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