title: Usefulness of saliva lithium estimation.
abstract: Estimation of lithium in 24 samples of serum and saliva show that there is a very high correlation between the lithium levels in serum and saliva (r= + 0-88). The ratio found in our patients is very similar to that reported from North America. Estimation of lithium in saliva at different periods of time show there is a good degree of stability for saliva lithium levels. Thus saliva can be used as a substitute for serum for lithium monitoring. The practical advantages of this are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012463:Saliva / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium