Mood‐dependent changes of serum lithium concentration in a rapid cycling patient maintained on stable doses of lithium carbonate

ConclusionsChanges in serum lithium concentration are probably not caused by altered lithium, but by water metabolism. During mania, body water increases, leading to dilution and therefore a reduction in serum lithium levels. As there is no proof for any other known cause of hypervolemia, we propose the hypothesis that the increase in body water is due to a variant of idiopathic edema. (Source: Bipolar Disorders)

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