Lithium Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure, Results, & More

Table of Content

Introduction to Lithium Test

Lithium medicine is used to treat mental disorders such as bipolar disorders, mood, and acute mania disorders. The healthcare provider may suggest a lithium test to know the appropriate dose for you if you have just started with lithium treatment. A psychiatrist usually prescribes this test to treat mental health conditions. Besides he may also monitor the lithium levels. 

An excessive dose of lithium is certainly not good, as it can cause side effects such as intestinal and neurological effects and even lead to kidney damage. While on the other hand, taking too little lithium won’t be effective enough to treat your condition. 

A lithium test is a blood test that helps analyze whether the levels of lithium in the blood are in the therapeutic range or need modifications. Some of the common symptoms associated with lithium toxicity include speech confusion, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and drowsiness. 

No matter what, if your healthcare provider suggests a lithium test, do not delay. Get yourself tested now! Book a lithium blood test using a home sample collection from Redcliffe Labs. 

Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab—Redcliffe Labs is one of India's best diagnostic centers and labs. It is a one-stop shop for ordering a full body check at home, a blood test online with a free home sample collection, and other services at the best available rates. 

So, why delay? Book a lithium test from Redcliffe Labs now! 

Lithium Test Details

What is the purpose of a lithium test?

Your healthcare provider may order a lithium test to evaluate the concentration of the drug in the blood. The test may be ordered every few days when you start first taking lithium to help adjust the dose to the desired blood level. 

The lithium testing helps determine what specific dose of lithium can help treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. The test confirms lithium poisoning is characterized by symptoms such as tremors, nausea, confusion, risky behavior, vomiting, trouble sleeping, poor judgment, and thoughts of suicide, among others.

The purpose of the serum lithium test includes 

• To ensure therapeutic efficacy while reducing the risk of poisoning. 
• To evaluate the drug concentration in the blood to diagnose lithium poisoning. 
• To create a therapeutic dosage for lithium. 

What does the lithium test measure?

A lithium blood test helps measure the amount of drug in a blood sample. Lithium levels are calculated in millimoles per liter (mmo/L). 

Oral medications are available for lithium and are usually taken by mouth. Your gastrointestinal system absorbs the lithium medicine and enters the bloodstream. In this way, the blood concentration is measured. 

The lithium levels in the blood need to be in a certain range to manage symptoms of bipolar disorder and other conditions effectively. 

When should you get a lithium test?

Your healthcare provider may suggest a lithium test if you are told a bipolar disorder treatment. 

Lithium tests are usually recommended at the beginning of the treatment to adjust your dose of medication. Further, this helps maintain a lithium blood level within a therapeutic range. 

Once the dose for a lithium test is decided, your healthcare provider may also order a periodic test, ensuring that your lithium levels remain within that therapeutic range.

Additionally, you may have a lithium test if you experience symptoms of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. 

Your doctor may also be prescribed a lithium test if he finds symptoms suggestive of lithium poisoning: 

• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain or diarrhea
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech (Dysarthria) 
• Loss of muscle control (ataxia) 
• Impaired thinking or memory 

What additional test might you need along with the lithium test?

Your doctor may also order other tests along with the lithium test to check the functioning of kidneys and other organs in the body. Because lithium is not metabolized, it is excreted through your kidneys. Lits of additional tests include: 

• Urinalysis 
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Creatinine
• Calcium 
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Thyroid function 
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) 

What is the procedure for a lithium test?

The lithium test is ordered by a psychiatrist who has expertise in treating mental health conditions. Once lithium levels in the blood are steady, monitoring may be done by a primary care provider or mental health care. 

Lithium tests are blood tests, so the expert will take a small amount of blood from your vein and transfer it into a vial. Then, he will send your blood sample to a lab for analysis. 

What are the preparations involved in a lithium test?

You may need to prepare for the lithium test. Let’s discover it in detail. 

Before the test, Consult your healthcare provider, as they may suggest fasting for about 10-12 hours after the last dose of lithium. This is because sample collection usually takes place in the morning before the next dose of lithium.

During the test: It is important to wear loose clothes during the test to make the blood draw easier. The expert will tie a tourniquet band on the arm, making the vein visible. Then, he will clean the site with a disinfectant to prevent infection and may also ask you to make a fist. 

You might feel a little sting when a needle is inserted into your vein to remove blood. After the lithium blood test is completed, the needle will be removed.

After the test: During the lithium testing process, a blood sample will be sent to the laboratory to measure lithium levels. But before that, after removing the needle, the expert will apply pressure to the area using cotton gauze to stop bleeding and reduce the risk of bruising. 

If you develop severe pain, soreness, or bruising in your arm after the test, contact your healthcare provider. 

What do lithium test results mean?

The test results will show your lithium levels in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). 

• Therapeutic range: 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
• Toxic level: greater than 1.5 mEq/L

If the lithium levels are less than the therapeutic range, it may indicate you are not taking the lower dose. Hence, the dose adjustment is needed to cover the blood lithium concentration within the lithium range. 

If your lithium levels are greater than 1.5mEq/L, it is an indication of lithium toxicity. The doctor’s intervention becomes necessary to talk with you about the next steps to manage lithium toxicity. 

Note: Your lithium level should be between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L for an effective lithium. 

What might affect your lithium test results? 

Timing plays an important role in a lithium test. Getting the test done 8-12 hours after your last dose of lithium will help you get the most accurate test results. However, certain medications can affect your lithium test results, such as: 

• Antibiotics 
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Arthritis medicines
• Direutics 
• Cardiovascular (CVD) medicines, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 
• Dehydration 

Are there any risks associated with lithium tests?

A lithium test is a blood test with a needle. It is associated with a few risks, including bleeding, infection, bruising, and lightheadedness. 

You may feel a slight sting or pain when the expert pricks your arm or hand. Afterward, the needle spot may be sore. Contact your healthcare provider and get medical assistance before the condition gets worse. 

What if the lithium test results are positive?

You have high lithium levels if your lithium test results are greater than 1.5mEq/L. The high levels of lithium show toxicities. You may experience confusion, vomiting, nausea, or tremors. 

On the other hand, low levels of lithium are caused by certain medications such as antibiotics, arthritis medicines, or water pills. Too low lithium levels range between 0.2-0.6 mmoI/L and can cause depression, impulse control disorders, learning problems, dehydration, and kidney diseases. 

What are the common symptoms associated with the lithium test?

Having low or high levels of lithium is a sign of abnormalities. The common symptoms associated with the lithium test include nausea, vomiting, lethargy, fatigue, mood disorders, and depression. 

Book Lithium Test from Redcliffe Labs for INR 330!

If your doctor has suggested a lithium test based on your symptoms, you need not delay. Book a lithium test from Redcliffe Labs for Rs 330 only. The best thing about booking a test from Redcliffe Labs is getting a home sample collection at your convenience. The phlebotomist will come to your place with a blood collection kit and collect the sample at a given time. He is a professional, so you can expect a painless blood draw. However, pain, bruising, or a slight sting is normal. 

Additionally, he will send your lithium blood sample to the lab on time to help you receive the most accurate lithium test reports. 

Lithium Test Price in Different Cities

Conclusion

Note: We also offer Lithium Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

A lithium test is vital to check the levels of a lithium drug in the blood. Basically, lithium is a mood stabilizer drug that helps manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder and other health conditions. 

Early and accurate diagnosis is vital by performing lithium testing. This will help the specialist to decide the appropriate dosage to manage bipolar disorder. Besides, repeat testing may be suggested at various times to monitor and determine if any dose modifications are needed.