PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF LITHIUM-INDUCED HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Keywords:
Management, Hypothyroidism, LithiumAbstract
Abstract
Objectives: To determine prevalence and management of Lithium-induced hypothyroidism.
Material and Methods: This descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of psychiatric patients at Prasrimahabhodi Psychiatric Hospital from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. The inclusion criteria were psychiatric patients over 18 years old who were using lithium and had undergone thyroid function tests. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence and management of lithium-induced hypothyroidism.
Results: Of the 146 patients studied, 12 had hypothyroidism, resulting in a prevalence rate of 8.22% among patients receiving lithium. Serum lithium concentrations were measured more than once a year in 73.28% of the patients, and thyroid function was assessed at least once a year in 59.59% of the patients on lithium. Patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism were either treated with levothyroxine or monitored for signs and symptoms while continuing lithium treatment with same or decreased dose.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients receiving lithium was 8.22%. Patients with lithium-induced hypothyroidism are typically scheduled signs and symptoms monitoring.
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