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Bipolar disorder - Management
How should I monitor someone taking lithium?
- Lithium levels are normally measured 1 week after starting therapy, 1 week after every dose change, and weekly thereafter until the levels are stable. Once the person is stable, lithium levels are measured every 3 months.
- Levels should be measured 12 hours post-dose.
- Baseline renal function tests, thyroid function tests, and a full blood count are normally measured at the start of treatment. Thereafter thyroid and renal function tests should be monitored every 6 months (or more often if there is evidence of impaired renal function).
- If there is a risk factor for, or existing, cardiovascular disease, an electrocardiogram is normally performed before treatment begins.
- The person's height and body weight should be recorded at the start of treatment. Monitoring of weight is only required after this if there is rapid weight gain.
- Record the results of blood tests in the persons lithium record booklet.
[National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, 2006; National Patient Safety Agency, 2009]
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