Posted by SLS on May 16, 2011, at 13:41:32
In reply to Re: How many are taking low-dose lithium? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2011, at 11:00:06
> Last I read and was told lithium is contraindicated in those with known thyroid disease. In those without it can cause thyroid to develop hypothyroidism. Phillipa
Yes. This is a well-known side effect that is dosage-dependent. At "therapeutic" dosages (900-1500mg), the incidence of hypothyroidism is approximately 10 percent. I haven't seen estimates of how often low dose (300-600mg) produces this effect. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Interestingly, the rate of hypothyroidism in untreated bipolar disorder is greater than in other populations. This must be considered when evaluating statistics.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11958781
- Scott
Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.
poster:SLS
thread:985426
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110515/msgs/985465.html