Lithium induced hypercalcemia: an expert opinion and management algorithm

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Zoltan Kovacs - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Peter Vestergaard - , Aalborg University, Novo Nordisk Foundation (Author)
  • Rasmus W. Licht - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Sune P. V. Straszek - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Anne Sofie Hansen - , Aalborg University (Author)
  • Allan H. Young - , South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (Author)
  • Anne Duffy - , Queen's University Kingston (Author)
  • Bruno Müller-Oerlinghausen - , Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (Author)
  • Florian Seemueller - , Psychotherapy (Author)
  • Gabriele Sani - , Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Author)
  • Janusz Rubakowski - , University of Medical Sciences Poznan (Author)
  • Josef Priller - , Technical University of Munich, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University of Edinburgh, King's College London (KCL) (Author)
  • Lars Vedel Kessing - , Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, University of Copenhagen (Author)
  • Leonardo Tondo - , Mood Disorder Centro Lucio Bini, Harvard University (Author)
  • Martin Alda - , Dalhousie University, National Institute of Mental Health (Author)
  • Mirko Manchia - , University of Cagliari, Dalhousie University, University Hospital of Cagliari (Author)
  • Paul Grof - , Mood Disorders Center of Ottawa, University of Toronto (Author)
  • Phillip Ritter - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Tomas Hajek - , Dalhousie University, National Institute of Mental Health (Author)
  • Ute Lewitzka - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • Veerle Bergink - , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Erasmus University Rotterdam (Author)
  • Michael Bauer - , Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)
  • René Ernst Nielsen - , Aalborg University (Author)

Abstract

Background: Lithium is the gold standard prophylactic treatment for bipolar disorder. Most clinical practice guidelines recommend regular calcium assessments as part of monitoring lithium treatment, but easy-to-implement specific management strategies in the event of abnormal calcium levels are lacking. Methods: Based on a narrative review of the effects of lithium on calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) homeostasis and its clinical implications, experts developed a step-by-step algorithm to guide the initial management of emergent hypercalcemia during lithium treatment. Results: In the event of albumin-corrected plasma calcium levels above the upper limit, PTH and calcium levels should be measured after two weeks. Measurement of PTH and calcium levels should preferably be repeated after one month in case of normal or high PTH level, and after one week in case of low PTH level, independently of calcium levels. Calcium levels above 2.8 mmol/l may require a more acute approach. If PTH and calcium levels are normalized, repeated measurements are suggested after six months. In case of persistent PTH and calcium abnormalities, referral to an endocrinologist is suggested since further examination may be needed. Conclusions: Standardized consensus driven management may diminish the potential risk of clinicians avoiding the use of lithium because of uncertainties about managing side-effects and consequently hindering some patients from receiving an optimal treatment.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number34
JournalInternational journal of bipolar disorders
Volume10
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-4286-5830/work/149796258
ORCID /0000-0002-2666-859X/work/149797545

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Affective disorder, Bipolar disorder, Lithium, Side-effects