Lithium and Risk of Hypercalcemia & Hyperparathyroidism

This post will focus on:

1. Differentiate Lithium associated hypercalcemia/hyperparathyroidism from primary hyperparathyroidism.

2. Symptoms of hypercalcemia. 

3. Monitoring guideline. 

SYMPTOMATIC HYPERCALCEMIA SYMPTOMS:

(a) STONES:

• Nephrolithiasis. 

• Renal dysfunction.

(b) BONES:

• Osteoporosis.

(c) GROANS:

• Peptic ulcers.

• Pancreatitis. 

(d) MOANS:

• Behavior and mood changes. 

MONITORING GUIDELINES:

According to 2009 International Society for Bipolar Disorders guidelines:

• baseline calcium level 

• Followup level at 6 months, and 

• Annually after that. 

Source:

• Am J Psychiatry. 2015 Jan;172(1):12-5.

Please do post your questions or comments below. 

Dr. Harvinder Singh, M.D. (Admin)

Enroll in our online course to have access to all important clinically relevant psychiatry topics in one place.