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Li+ in serum/plasma/blood
Indications:
- therapeutic drug monitoring, lithium carbonate therapy
- bipolar affective disorder
Reference interval:
- therapeutic range: 0.5-1.4 mmol/L
Clinical significance:
- relatively narrow therapeutic range
- see lithium carbonate for toxicity
Increases:
- lithium toxicity
Specimen:
1) whole blood, serum, plasma (EDTA, heparin)
2) collect sample > 12 hours after last dose
3) separate from cells if not assayed within 4 hours
4) stable at room temperature for 24 hours
5) stable for 7 days refrigerated
6) stable indefinitely at -20 degrees C
Methods:
- flame emission spectroscopy (FES)
- atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)
- ion-specific electrode (ISE)
Interferences:
- Na+, K+ & Ca+2 may interfere with flame emission method & require background correction
Related
Li+
lithium carbonate (Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid, Lithonate)
pharmaceutical lithium
Specific
Li+ free in serum/plasma
Li+ in serum/plasma
General
lithium measurement
therapeutic drug measurement
References
- Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed.,
W.B. Saunders, 1995
- Lithium, Serum or Plasma
Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 20038