Journal of Thyroid Disorders & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-7948
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2167-7948
+44 1300 500008
Baha Zantour
Tahar Sfar Hospital,
Mahdia 5100
Tunisia
Review Article
Lithium Treatment and Thyroid Disorders
Author(s): Baha Zantour and Wafa Chebbi
Baha Zantour and Wafa Chebbi
Lithium is a widely used and effective long term therapy for bipolar disorders. Its use is associated with thyroid abnormalities commonly reported in the literature. Lithium affects normal functioning through multiple mechanisms. It inhibits synthesis and release of thyroid hormones and may reduce the thyroid iodine uptake. Lithium can induce thyrocyte proliferation by two mechanisms: the inhibition of the TSH/cAMP pathway and more recently identified is the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway. Lithium finally affects different parameters of the immune system. Goitre is the most frequent disorder noted in up to 55% of patients on lithium therapy. Hypothyroidism is observed in up to 52%. Lithium induced hyperthyroidism is a less common and controversial finding. Lithium increases thyroid autoimmunity if present before therapy. Patients taking lithium should not stop th.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2167-7948.1000143