Lithium

Lithium is used to treat and prevent episodes of mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood) in people with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder , a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal moods). Lithium is in a class of medications called antimanic agents. It works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain.

Specimen: Serum

Reference Values: 0.5-1.5 (Therapeutic Range) mEq/L                  

Method: Flame Photometry 

Loinc: 3719-2