Lithium & Hypothyroidism

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Lithium-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction: Hypothyroidism & Beyond

Lithium, a stalwart in the treatment of bipolar disorder, has a range of effects on the body. While its mood-stabilizing properties have proven invaluable in psychiatric care, it can sometimes play a disruptive role in the body's endocrine system, particularly with the thyroid gland. In this post, we'll discuss the association between lithium and thyroid function, emphasizing hypothyroidism but also touching on the rarer instance of hyperthyroidism.

Lithium and the Thyroid

The thyroid gland, situated in the neck, plays a pivotal role in metabolic processes, producing hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Lithium can interfere with